Toy Bank

Toy Bank

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Description
Toy bank in the form of a center-chimney house, painted white and gilt-stenciled on the front facade with "BANK" arched above a four-paneled, double door flanked by six-pane windows, all gothic-arched with fanlights. Red-painted, lapped-seam chimney is the money slot. Blue-japaned roof is soft-soldered in place. Building front, bottom and back are one piece with ends crimped inside their plain edges. No marks.
Attributed to George W. Brown & Co. of Forestville (now Bristol), CT, in business 1856-1868; or Stevens & Brown Manufacturing Co., of Cromwell, CT, in business, 1869-1880. George W. Brown (involved with both concerns) is credited with introducing mechanical (clockwork or wind-up) toys to the United States, and produced an illustrated catalog of his offerings in 1870.
Location
Currently not on view
Object Name
bank, toy
Other Terms
Bank; Toys
date made
1860 - 1880
place made
United States: Connecticut, Cromwell
Physical Description
iron (overall material)
tin (overall material)
gold (exterior decoration material)
paint (exterior decoration material)
asphaltum (exterior decoration material)
Measurements
overall: 3 7/8 in x 3 3/8 in x 2 1/4 in; 9.8425 cm x 8.5725 cm x 5.715 cm
ID Number
DL.263901.0079
catalog number
263901.0079
accession number
263901
Credit Line
Kenneth E. Jewett
subject
Toys
Children
Banks
Building & Architecture
See more items in
Cultural and Community Life: Domestic Life
Data Source
National Museum of American History
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