Museum Collections
Luce Center
Paddy and the Pig
Object Number:
1937.679
Date:
1882-1890
Medium:
Iron, paint
Dimensions:
Overall: 8 x 7 1/4 x 3 1/2 in. ( 20.3 x 18.4 x 8.9 cm )
Marks:
cast: beneath base: "ENG PAT JULY 28/1882./US PAT AUG 8/1882."
cast: also beneath base: "1875 PAT FEB 2."
Description:
Cast iron mechanical bank in the form of figure seated with feet pressed together, knees splayed out, holding pig (with nose facing up) between legs; caricature of Irishman with large head out of proportion to body, wearing hat with shamrock, knee breeches, stockings, and buckled shoes; when coin is placed on pig's nose, pressing the lever in back makes the pig kick the penny off of his nose; figure's eyes then roll back, his lower jaw moves, he sticks out his tongue, and the penny falls into Paddy's open mouth.
Gallery Label:
This bank was based on Patent No. 262,361, taken out by James H. Bowen on August 8, 1882 (See Publications).
Credit Line:
Purchased from Elie Nadelman
Provenance:
The Folk Art Collection of Elie Nadelman
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.