Bidspirit auction | Springing Cat - Mechanical Bank

Springing Cat - Mechanical Bank - Made by Charles Bailey. Cobalt, Ct. - Circa 1880. Bailey designed and produced several wonderful toy banks in lead before he secured gainful employment with the J. & E. Stevens Company. The soft malleable nature of lead gave Bailey the perfect medium with which he could pursue his intense passion for detail and ornamentation. In the case of the Springing Cat bank, these details are characterized by exotic motifs such as urns of flower and images of tropical chieftains. Collectors today consider Bailey's limited production of lead toy banks to rank among the most fascinating banks ever created. Condition: Pristine Condition. Replaced trap.