Rare Black Colorway Antique Hubley Cast Iron Fido Dog Still Bank 1904 Orig Paint

Details

Description

Offered here is an original early 20th-century cast iron "Fido" sitting dog still bank by the Hubley Manufacturing Company (Lancaster, … Read more Offered here is an original early 20th-century cast iron "Fido" sitting dog still bank by the Hubley Manufacturing Company (Lancaster, PA). While Hubley's standard production run for this bank featured white or white-and-black painted coats, this example features the far less common solid black body colorway, making it a desirable find for advanced cast iron bank and Hubley variant collectors.

Historical Provenance & Design Significance: Originating from the Hubley Manufacturing Company of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, during the golden era of American industrial iron founding, this early 20th-century "Fido" still bank exemplifies folk-inspired character design. Molded with whimsical facial proportions, floppy ears, and an integrated ribbon collar, the piece represents a quintessential crossover between early American industrial metalwork and popular nursery culture.

Aesthetic & Decorative Utility: Cast in heavy iron with authentic, timeworn cold-painted distressing, this sculpture offers tactile warmth, grounding weight, and genuine historical patina. It functions seamlessly as an accent object, bookend, desk weight, or shelf styled piece in modern rustic, traditional, or eclectic interiors.

Curator's Note: An endearing piece of early 20th-century American foundry art. This original Hubley 'Fido' bank brings authentic industrial character, rich weathered texture, and vintage charm to styled bookshelves, sideboards, or executive desks.

Item Specifications:
Manufacturer: Hubley Manufacturing Company

Model/Subject: "Fido" Seated Dog with Bow Tie / Collar (Rare Black Variant)

Origin: United States

Circa / Age: Early 20th Century (Patent Date 1904 / Produced c. 1914–1930s)

Material: Cast Iron

Dimensions: Approx. 3.75" Height x 2.5" Width x 2.25" Depth

Weight: 14.7 oz (416 g)

Markings: Embossed on back: DSGN PAT 1904

Authenticity Assessment
Casting & Seam Quality: The seam alignment between the front and back cast halves is tight, precise, and original. There are no wide gaps, uneven misalignments, or modern grinding marks indicative of modern reproductions.

Interior & Bottom Opening: The underside reveals a classic two-part hollow casting with interior oxidation consistent with 100+ years of age. The base has clean inner keyways without modern flashing, grinding wheel gouges, or sand-cast pitting typical of late-20th-century copies.

Hardware: Assembled with its original single transverse slotted steel screw. The screw head exhibits appropriate micro-burring and age-darkened oxidation.

Cold Paint & Patina: The piece features original cold-painted finish—black body coat with red bow tie/collar, white eye sockets, and black pupils. The paint exhibits authentic age-related flaking, crazing, and micro-chipping over untouched, dark iron oxidation. It is 100% original cold paint, completely untouched and un-restored. See less