Coin bank in the form of a "pickaninny" boy eating a watermelon slice

Source catalog description

This description refers to material held by Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. Visual details below describe the original material.

A cast iron coin bank in the form of a "pickaninny" boy eating a watermelon slice. The boy is standing on a tiered rectangular base. He is holding a slice of watermelon up to his mouth with both hands. The watermelon is painted red and green. The boy is wearing only gray shorts. A rectangular slot for inserting coins is located in the center of his upper back. The bank is made of two halves (front and back), joined in the center. There are two (2) metal screws on the back of the figure, one (1) in the center of his head and one (1) on the proper right calf. There is a round indentation on the proper left calf. An additional two (2) screws are located on the bottom of the base, under the figure's feet.

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