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ID #SA1189185
FOR SALE
£495
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Victorian Mechanical Cast Iron Football Bank Money Box. John Harper Co.
For sale by Krave Antiques
for sale €579     $629
£495
Krave Antiques

Krave Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Aug 2019
Browse dealers 108 items
  • About Us
    Krave antiques are an online retailer that specialise in finding rare and unique items that you will fall in love with
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Id #SA1189185
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Victorian Mechanical Cast Iron Football Bank Money Box. John Harper Co.

19th century
For Sale by Krave Antiques
Description

This scarce antique money bank which dates from the late 19th century is made of cast iron by John Harper & Co and is in the form of a football player shooting a goal into the net.

This very collectible Victorian piece is marked with the Registered Design No. 247326 which dates to 1895 to the underside of the base, inside the net and on the back.

The Football Bank works by pulling the leg back onto the trigger, placing the coin onto the coin plate and when the trigger is pressed the footballer kicks the coin into the goal which sounds a bell.

Date: 1895.

Marks: Rd No. 247326.

Dimensions: Height 11.5 cm (4 1/2"). Length 25 cm (10"). Width 9.5 cm (3 3/8").

Weight: 1.3 Kg.

Condition: Good untouched condition. Has not been repainted. Signs of use in keeping with age with some knocks and rust. The goal net has some cracks which could be an old repair but is solid and firm so could be casting faults. The leg is slightly tricky to catch onto the trigger but fully works. Please see pictures.

Date of Manufacture

Krave Antiques has dated this Mechanical Cast Iron Bank to the 1890s.

Independent Date Check ID 09324295
Dealer's Item Date1890s
Sellingantiques Date1890s
Sellingantiques agingItem 120-135 years old
Test ResultsPassed dating check
Why Sellingantiques dated this piece to THE 1890s:
Relief lettering on the base edge: sharp definition from fine Victorian foundry sand.
Traces of dark green paint on the plinth: original factory finish surviving in recesses.
Dark patina and generalised surface rust: many decades of natural oxidisation without artificial staining.
Slotted hinge pins on moving limbs: assembly methods of late nineteenth-century mechanical toys.

This is an independent date report produced by Sellingantiques using its own proprietary system. The process uses the photographs shown on this page. The system is never told the date the dealer has declared. This report shows that the two dates corroborate.

Physical Dimensions
Height
11.5cm (4.53")
Width
25cm (9.84")
Depth
9.5cm (3.74")
Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1189185
Dealers Internal Reference
CIFB3228
Dealers Notes

_____________

Please look at our website for our full stock of antiques and purchase direct www.kraveantiques.co.uk

If you have any further questions about this item please feel free to message us and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

For your convenience we offer Free UK delivery on most items.

We ship worldwide. Please contact us for a quote.

Description
This scarce antique money bank which dates from the late 19th century is made of cast iron by John Harper & Co and is in the form of a football player shooting a goal into the net.

This very collectible Victorian piece is marked with the Registered Design No. 247326 which dates to 1895 to the underside of the base, inside the net and on the back.

“
The Football Bank works by pulling the leg back onto the trigger, placing the coin onto the coin plate and when the trigger is pressed the footballer kicks the coin into the goal which sounds a bell.
Krave Antiques
fig 1. A Victorian cast iron mechanical money bank depicting a footballer figure aiming towards a goal structure on a rectangular base.
fig 1. Victorian Mechanical Cast Iron Football Bank Money Box. John Harper Co.

Date: 1895.

Marks: Rd No. 247326.

Dimensions: Height 11.5 cm (4 1/2"). Length 25 cm (10"). Width 9.5 cm (3 3/8").

Weight: 1.3 Kg.

Condition: Good untouched condition. Has not been repainted. Signs of use in keeping with age with some knocks and rust. The goal net has some cracks which could be an old repair but is solid and firm so could be casting faults. The leg is slightly tricky to catch onto the trigger but fully works. Please see pictures.

Date of Manufacture

Krave Antiques has dated this Mechanical Cast Iron Bank to the 1890s.

Independent Date Report ID 09324295
Dealer's Item Date1890s
Sellingantiques dating1890s
Sellingantiques agingItem 120-135 years old
Test ResultsPassed dating check
Why Sellingantiques dated this piece to the 1890s:
Relief lettering on the base edge: sharp definition from fine Victorian foundry sand.
Traces of dark green paint on the plinth: original factory finish surviving in recesses.
Dark patina and generalised surface rust: many decades of natural oxidisation without artificial staining.
Slotted hinge pins on moving limbs: assembly methods of late nineteenth-century mechanical toys.

This is an independent date report produced by Sellingantiques using its own proprietary system. The process uses the photographs shown on this page. The system is never told the date the dealer has declared. This report shows that the two dates corroborate.

Height
11.5cm (4.53")
Width
25cm (9.84")
Depth
9.5cm (3.74")
Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1189185
Dealers Internal Ref
CIFB3228
Krave Antiques
Krave Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since Aug 2019

Krave antiques are an online retailer that specialise in finding rare and unique items that you will fall in love with

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Krave Antiques Profile Page

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A Victorian cast iron mechanical money bank depicting a footballer figure aiming towards a goal structure on a rectangular base.
1 / 18
Archive I A Victorian cast iron mechanical money bank depicting a footballer figure aiming towards a goal structure on a rectangular base.

Victorian Mechanical Cast Iron Football Bank Money Box. John Harper Co.

Archive II A Victorian cast iron mechanical money bank depicting a footballer figure aiming towards a goal structure on a rectangular base. View II
Archive III A Victorian cast iron mechanical money bank depicting a footballer figure aiming towards a goal structure on a rectangular base. View III
Archive IV A Victorian cast iron mechanical money bank depicting a footballer figure aiming towards a goal structure on a rectangular base. View IV
Archive V A Victorian cast iron mechanical money bank depicting a footballer figure aiming towards a goal structure on a rectangular base. View V
Archive VI A Victorian cast iron mechanical money bank depicting a footballer figure aiming towards a goal structure on a rectangular base. View VI
Archive VII A Victorian cast iron mechanical money bank depicting a footballer figure aiming towards a goal structure on a rectangular base. View VII
Archive VIII A Victorian cast iron mechanical money bank depicting a footballer figure aiming towards a goal structure on a rectangular base. View VIII
Archive IX A Victorian cast iron mechanical money bank depicting a footballer figure aiming towards a goal structure on a rectangular base. View IX
Archive X A Victorian cast iron mechanical money bank depicting a footballer figure aiming towards a goal structure on a rectangular base. View X
Archive XI A Victorian cast iron mechanical money bank depicting a footballer figure aiming towards a goal structure on a rectangular base. View XI
Archive XII A Victorian cast iron mechanical money bank depicting a footballer figure aiming towards a goal structure on a rectangular base. View XII
Archive XIII A Victorian cast iron mechanical money bank depicting a footballer figure aiming towards a goal structure on a rectangular base. View XIII
Archive XIV A Victorian cast iron mechanical money bank depicting a footballer figure aiming towards a goal structure on a rectangular base. View XIV
Archive XV A Victorian cast iron mechanical money bank depicting a footballer figure aiming towards a goal structure on a rectangular base. View XV
Archive XVI A Victorian cast iron mechanical money bank depicting a footballer figure aiming towards a goal structure on a rectangular base. View XVI
Archive XVII A Victorian cast iron mechanical money bank depicting a footballer figure aiming towards a goal structure on a rectangular base. View XVII
Archive XVIII A Victorian cast iron mechanical money bank depicting a footballer figure aiming towards a goal structure on a rectangular base. View XVIII
Enlarged Archival View
Krave Antiques

Krave Antiques
Telephone 07484 851259
Location
Peasedown St John
Bath
Somerset
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/kraveantiques
Verified Since Aug 2019
Items For Sale 108
Items Sold 559
Krave Antiques
Krave Antiques
Verified Since Aug 2019
View Dealer Info
Location: Peasedown St John, Bath, Somerset, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/kraveantiques
Verified
Aug 2019
For Sale
108
Sold
559
A Victorian cast iron mechanical money bank depicting a footballer figure aiming towards a goal structure on a rectangular base.
Victorian Mechanical Cast Iron Football Bank Money Box. John Harper Co.
Ref: SA1189185
A Victorian cast iron mechanical money bank depicting a footballer figure aiming towards a goal structure on a rectangular base.
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Archival Detail

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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectMoney Banks
  • Period19th century
  • StyleVictorian
  • MaterialCast Iron
  • ColourDark Brown
  • MotifsFigurative detail, Lattice goal structure, Lever mechanism, Relief moulded grass base
  • SizeH 11.5 cm (5 in) x W 25 cm (10 in) x D 9.5 cm (4 in)

This Victorian mechanical money box takes the form of a cast iron football player aiming towards a lattice goal structure on a rectangular relief-moulded grass base. Cast in dark brown iron by John Harper and Co, the late 19th-century piece features a standing figure, a tree stump coin plate, a rear lever mechanism, and a textured finish displaying knocks, rust, and surface wear. Registered Design No. 247326 appears on the underside, inside the net, and on the back. Operation involves pulling the footballer's leg back onto the trigger, placing a coin on the plate, and pressing the trigger to strike the coin into the net. Measuring 11.5 cm high, 25 cm wide, and 9.5 cm deep, the compact money bank sits well on a bookshelf or desk in a gentleman's library. The mechanism functions fully, though the leg requires care to catch on the trigger, and the goal net exhibits cracks alongside solid construction.

FAQs

Mechanical money banks originated in the late nineteenth century during the Victorian era, designed to encourage personal savings habits through interactive mechanical motion. These objects incorporated spring-loaded mechanisms that performed specific actions when a coin was deposited.

These banks were primarily crafted from heavy cast iron poured into two-part sand moulds. The individual cast components were hand-assembled, fitted with internal iron springs and levers, and finished with lacquer or oil paint.

Authentic nineteenth-century cast iron banks feature fine seam lines where the mould halves joined, smooth casting surfaces, and precise original screw fittings. Original finishes typically show natural wear patterns and age-related oxidisation rather than uniform modern paint.

A cast iron money bank functions as a distinct sculptural accent when positioned on a bookshelf, desk, or mantelpiece within study areas or library spaces. It integrates effectively alongside books, dark timber surfaces, and brass accessories.

Preservation requires gentle dust removal using a soft, dry brush and avoiding damp environments to prevent corrosion. Chemical solvents and abrasive scouring should be avoided to protect remaining original paint layers and iron patination.
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