A marbleized brown with a beige hand painted underbelly dominates the color scheme to this excellent condition 19th century authentic stoneware Austrian still bank. This “piggy” bank was manufactured by HEPP “The Hole-Eyed Pottery Pig” company, the oldest Czechoslovakian/Austrian ceramic coin bank manufacturer, circa 1890. Their best customer was the United States. They were in business from 1870 until WW I. This is the larger size and more difficult to find example, 6 3/4″ long, 4″ high stoneware child’s savings bank with a ubiquitous pig theme; the pig standing on all fours with pronounced snout and belly and cutout eye holes; beautifully hand painted then glazed, resulting in a lovely all original surface and patina in excellent condition, with no restoration, touch-up or repaint of any kind. The top mounted coin slot is the appropriately size to accommodate coins, and the crazing to the bank is indicative of 125 year old manufacture. A similar example to this is referenced by well known expert Tom Stoddard, page 112 plate 509 in “Ceramic Coin Banks” published in 1997.
Since these type of antique banks typically were made without a coin removal trap, the only way to extract the coins would have been the old “knife in the slot” method and retrieving the pennies one by one; or the more simpler method of smashing and breaking the bank, which is why locating these banks is very difficult, rendering a fine example particularly rare.
This example is a wonderful addition to a collection of authentic still banks, folk art, or for those who accumulate pig items. This recently came from an estate collection of pig still banks.
Dimensions: 6 3/4″ long x 3″ wide x 4″ high
Many replicas; along with 2″, 3″, and 4″, stoneware banks abound; but 7″ long x 4″ high authentic examples are extant.
Note: I am a leading specialist in the field of antique banks, having been buying, selling, and examining these fine objects for 40 years. This experience makes me well qualified to analyze, evaluate, and warrant the authenticity of original examples. I guarantee the banks that I have listed to be as I have described them. I have examined this example under a 10 power loop and note that the mini crazing and patina are commensurate with 19th century wear and manufacture.
Note: Please see my other bank listings I am offering for sale.