Antique American Kenton cast Iron Savings Bank. Early 20th century

A miniature American bank vault 🇺🇸

Long before online banking, someone kept their spare change in this rather fabulous miniature American safe.

Made from cast iron, this little bank is surprisingly elaborate: pierced scrolling decoration, a griffin-like bird guarding the door, a tiny turning handle and “SAVINGS BANK” cast into the ornate lid, with a combination-style dial on the front.

Inside, “KENTON BRAND” is cast into the metal. Made by the Kenton Hardware Company of Kenton, Ohio, one of America’s notable cast-iron toy manufacturers, this little money box takes the form of a miniature bank safe.

At just 11cm tall, it is small in scale but full of the confident ornamental detail that makes these American cast-iron still banks so appealing — designed to encourage a child’s saving habit while looking like something altogether grander.

With a naturally aged patina, it is a wonderfully characterful survivor from an age when even a child’s money box could masquerade as a bank vault.

American | Kenton cast-iron savings bank | Early 20th century | 11cm high

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Extraordinary Things. Americana 🇺🇸