Antique Hubley Cast Iron Bear Honey Pot Still Bank Exceptional Original Paint 30s

Details

Description

Up for sale is a premium, highly displayable antique 1930s cast iron "Bear with Honey Pot" still penny coin bank, … Read more Up for sale is a premium, highly displayable antique 1930s cast iron "Bear with Honey Pot" still penny coin bank, manufactured by the Hubley Manufacturing Company of Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

This piece features outstanding original cold-painted finish retention (~85%+ intact), showcasing the rich tan/brown fur, teal-rimmed honey pot, bright yellow honey center, and painted tongue. Coins deposit via the slot inside the honey pot. Constructed from two heavy sand-cast iron halves secured with the original flathead steel back screw.

Origin: United States (Lancaster, PA)

Manufacturer: Hubley Manufacturing Co.

Age / Era: Circa 1930–1936

Material: Cast Iron

Dimensions: Approximately 6.5" H x 3.0" W x 3.25" D

Weight: 2 lbs 2.7 oz

Authenticity Assessment This piece displays all key markers of a premium, authentic Hubley casting:

Casting & Seam Quality: Precise mold alignment along the perimeter with tight seam lines. Fine, sharp relief details in the fur, paws, and facial expression. Internal seams show clean period hand-finishing without modern grinding marks.

Base & Core Venting: Features authentic open core-gate ventilation slots on the base of the feet with dark, oxidized interior iron.

Hardware: Held together by a single period-correct flathead steel machine screw set cleanly into a countersunk recess on the back.

Paint & Surface Integrity: Boasts exceptional, high-grade factory cold-painted coverage (~85%+ intact) across the tan/brown body, teal/blue honey pot rim, bright yellow honey center, and reddish-pink tongue. High-point wear is minimal and natural, confined to light friction rub on the nose and pot edge, with zero evidence of repainting, touch-ups, or artificial aging.

Reference
Book Title: The Penny Bank Book: Collecting Still Banks
Author: Andy Moore & Susan Moore
Publisher / Reference: Schiffer Publishing Ltd.
Reference Note: Listed and illustrated under the Hubley character still bank section (Hubley Item #672).

Historical Provenance & Design Significance: Crafted during the peak of American decorative cast iron production by Hubley Manufacturing Co. in Lancaster, PA, this still bank stands out for its exceptional preservation. While many period cast iron toys suffered severe finish loss, this piece retains its vibrant cold-painted palette, exemplifying early 20th-century American folk casting and playful character design.

Curator’s Note: Featuring rare, near-complete original paint and a warm vintage patina, this 1930s Hubley bear bank serves as a rich tactile accent for curated interiors. Ideal as a sculptural paperweight on a mahogany executive desk, styled on a library bookshelf, or arranged within a vintage Americana vignette. See less