Museum Collections
Luce Center
Speaking Dog Bank
Object Number:
1937.482
Date:
ca. 1885
Medium:
Iron, paint
Dimensions:
Overall: 7 x 7 1/8 x 3 in. ( 17.8 x 18.1 x 7.6 cm )
Marks:
cast: into base: "SPEAKING DOG"
cast: beneath base: "PAT JULY 14TH 1885/AND/OCT20 1885"
Description:
Cast iron mechanical bank in the form of seated girl and dog on irregularly shaped rectangular pedestal; girl dressed in red dress with hat, seated on bench, with large dog seated in front of her, eyes fixed on her face; cast inscription on front of pedestal; when coin is placed on girl's tray, girl's arm moves and coin falls into bank, while dog's mouth opens and tail wags.
Gallery Label:
This bank is based on Patent No. 328,723, issued to Charles G. Shepard and Peter Adams, Jr., on October 20, 1885 (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.