Tea Caddy Miniature Federal House & a Mechanical Bank
by Jessica Kosinski
$2,908.99 (Bids 68, Bidders 12) Antique 19th C. Folk Art Painted & Carved Wood Tea Caddy Miniature Federal House. “This auction is for an antique, 19th Century, Carved and Painted Federal Style Folk Art Tea Caddy. This exceptional tea caddy measures 7” tall by 7 1/2” long by 4 1/2” wide and depicts a miniature Federal-style home dating circa 1780–1830. As you can see, it has carved and applied columns, trim, and window sills, along with hand-painted details including 4-over-4 windows and a paneled door. The original blue-gray and white paint is old, with expected wear, and you can see dark stain wood showing through in areas. This tea caddy retains its original lock and working key; however, the turned cow bone knobs on the lids do not match, and one is an old replacement. There is a tight old shrinkage crack to the front and bottom, but no other issues. There are no restorations.” (Photos: eBay seller, wwolst12store)
JK: There are many antiques and collectibles in the world. Some seem like they were made to be collected. For example, I collect Star Wars memorabilia. There is a lot of it out there, so I can easily hunt for it in shops, at yard sales, or online. However, other collectibles are collectible because they are one-of-a-kind pieces that make real statements. Those are definite conversation starters.
The caddy is a clear example of a particular type of one-of-a-kind collectible, which is folk art. Folk art was usually created by local artists and incorporated elements of whatever was going on in the area at the time. For instance, this artist may have modeled the caddy after his own house or one nearby that had some personal meaning to him.
The fabulous, and often frustrating, issue with folk art pieces like this is makers are almost always impossible to identify. However, there are some things we can easily figure out based on context. For instance, it’s clear that the maker was definitely an artist who knew how to pay attention to details. Those details give this tea caddy an almost dollhouse-like appeal, which is probably part of the reason it attracted so many bidders. It’s also possible, and even likely, that the artist lived in New England, since Federal-style houses were most popular in that area. Although, they did also pop up in Pennsylvania and other areas.
We can also assume this tea caddy probably had a lot of significance when it was first made. Back in the late 1700s and early 1800s, tea was fairly expensive. Fancy tea caddies helped keep it protected, but they also offered a way to show it off. The maker may have created it for personal use or sold it, but either way, it was practical, artistic, and a status symbol all rolled into one. Federal-style houses were also popular at the time. Therefore, it could have attracted collectors interested in historic architecture, early American culture, or just tea-related collectibles.
$3,807 (Bids 41, Bidders 13) Cast Iron “Organ Grinder & Performing Bear” Mechanical Bank Antique Americana. “This is the ‘Organ Grinder and Performing Bear’ Mechanical Bank designed by Louis Kyser & Alfred Rex and manufactured by the Kyser & Rex Co., Philadelphia, PA. It was patented on July 13, 1882. There are no cracks or breaks and the paint is still vivid and bright. There were many street performers in the 1880s, and the entertainment and action which took place during one of the organ grinder’s performances is captured by this intriguing mechanical bank.
The Kyser & Rex Co. is well known for the impeccable care and attention they gave to casting, assembly, and paint decoration, and the Organ Grinder & Bear is no exception. The combination of rarity, bright coloration, and exciting clockwork action have always stimulated a great deal of collector interest in this bank.
In order to operate, the key located on the side of the building is first wound to prepare the bank for operation. A coin is then placed in the provided slot on top of the organ. A small lever on the base is then moved, which begins the action. The coin drops through the organ into the base of the bank, the man cranks the organ with his right arm. Meantime, the bear turns in a more or less hesitant way as though performing or dancing. The action can be stopped at any time by moving the lever or, if preferred, the mechanism can run down until it stops on its own.
The bank is in proper working order and has the rectangular coin trap. The key is not included, but any Kyser & Rex key will work. The bank is approximately 6 7/8” long, 4 3/4” wide, and 5 1/4” high. This is a great opportunity to make this colorful bank a part of your collection.” (Photos: eBay seller, thingsnsuch100)
JK: There isn’t much left to say about this bank, thanks to the excellent description by the seller. It paints a picture of exactly how whimsical and fun these banks are, which is why they are so collectible. People sometimes like to envision the stories behind them, which probably involved kids saving up for treasured items. However, most collectors today just enjoy them because there are so many different models to collect, and they make great display pieces. This one could have attracted even more attention if its key had been included, but it still clearly caught the attention of several bank enthusiasts.
Jessica Kosinski has been a freelance researcher and writer since 2001. She developed a passion for 1980s pre-1980s TV and films as a kid, and she has never grown out of it. Recently, she turned that passion into a retro TV and film blog. Follow along with her at medium.com/@jkos_writing, as she dives deep into the characters, actors, quirks, and trivia that brought us some of the greatest films and shows in TV history, and also discusses some of the more obscure films and shows most of us may have forgotten.
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