Building blocks
Classification:
Date:
1900-1910
Medium:
Terracotta, wood, paper
Dimensions:
box: 3 1/8 x 13 x 9 3/8 in. ( 7.9 x 33 x 23.8 cm )
Description:
Set of 255 architectural building blocks made of pink, blue, and white terracotta; housed in wooden box with sliding lid; paper cover for lid printed with central image of arrangement for packing blocks in box with rectangular border with gargoyles, medallions, urns, floral scrolls, and inscriptions.
Credit Line:
Gift of Mr. Charles A. Van Patten
Object Number:
1984.55a-xxxxxxxxxx
Marks:
printed: on lid, in English and German, lists of cities where Richter's building blocks have received awards
printed: on lid: "Design/for repacking/No. 13"
printed: on lid: "This box contains/2 books of architectural mo/dels (Series 9 and 13) and/1 book
Date Begin:
0
Date End:
1910
eMuseum Object ID:
27988
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.
Eagle and Eaglets
Collections:
Classification:
Date:
1880-1890
Medium:
Iron, paint, glass
Dimensions:
Overall: 6 x 8 x 5 in. ( 15.2 x 20.3 x 12.7 cm )
Description:
Cast iron mechanical bank in the form of a large eagle mounted on a pedestal with two eaglets mounted at edge of nest; eagle with glass eyes and jointed wings and body, base textured to represent natural environment, with nest; coin is placed in mouth of large eagle; when lever under tail is pressed, the large eagle leans forward and drops the coin into the nest, and the eaglets swallow the coin.
Credit Line:
Purchased from Elie Nadelman
Object Number:
1937.1392
Marks:
cast: beneath base: "PATJAN 23/1883"
Gallery Label:
This mechanical bank was based on Patent No. 271,200, issued to Charles M. Henn on January 23, 1883, and assigned to J. & E. Stevens Co. (See Publications)
Provenance:
The Folk Art Collection of Elie Nadelman
Date Begin:
0
Date End:
1890
eMuseum Object ID:
27888
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.
Noah's ark
Classification:
Date:
1850-1900
Medium:
Wood, paint
Dimensions:
Overall: 4 1/4 x 10 x 3 in. ( 10.8 x 25.4 x 7.6 cm )
Description:
Wooden ark composed of building with peaked roof mounted on rectangular platform with pointed ends; building is painted in blue, with bands of red, yellow, and green; roof is painted red and opens with fabric hinges so that 64 carved, polychrome wooden animals may be housed inside; turned wooden figure with applied arms and staff (Noah) is also included.
Object Number:
INV.5269
Gallery Label:
In nineteenth century America, Noah's arks were popular "Sunday toys," that is, playthings with moral or religious themes that were deemed appropriate for the Sabbath. Most of the arks found in American homes were made in small villages in the Erzgebirge region of Germany. Highly organized cottage industries took advantage of the raw materials provided by the region's deep forests to produce huge quantities of Noah's arks and other wooden and papier mâché toys.
Date Begin:
0
Date End:
1900
eMuseum Object ID:
27885
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.
Noah's ark
Classification:
Date:
1850-1900
Medium:
Wood, paint
Dimensions:
Overall: 14 1/2 x 23 x 6 3/4 in. ( 36.8 x 58.4 x 17.1 cm )
Description:
Wooden Noah's ark; brown painted hull surmounted by building with peaked roof and sliding side; band with inverted hearts and stylized sheaves; includes polychrome carved wooden animals and Noah's family.
Credit Line:
Gift of Katharine Prentis Murphy
Object Number:
1955.80
Gallery Label:
In nineteenth century America, Noah's arks were popular "Sunday toys," that is, playthings with moral or religious themes that were deemed appropriate for the Sabbath. Most of the arks found in American homes were made in small villages in the Erzgebirge region of Germany. Highly organized cottage industries took advantage of the raw materials provided by the region's deep forests to produce huge quantities of Noah's arks and other wooden and papier mâché toys.
Date Begin:
0
Date End:
1900
eMuseum Object ID:
27841
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.
Cabin Bank
Collections:
Classification:
Date:
ca. 1883
Medium:
Iron, paint
Dimensions:
Overall: 3 1/2 x 4 1/2 x 2 7/8 in. ( 8.9 x 11.4 x 7.3 cm )
Description:
Cast iron mechanical bank in the form of cabin (almost a lean-to) with slanted roof, painted yellow, red, blue, and black; figure representing African-American standing in doorway, with blue shirt, red suspenders, and yellow pants; cast details include texture of roof, broken windows on sides, and grill and banjo hung on sides; when handle on broom is pulled, figure flips up and kicks coin into bank.
Credit Line:
Purchased from Elie Nadelman
Object Number:
1937.1238
Marks:
stamped: on base: "PATDJUNE2D/1885,"
cast: on release button: "PATD FEB2 1875"
Nadelman collection sticker: "460 / Am"
Gallery Label:
The original patent (April 3, 1883) was assigned to J. & E. Stevens Co. in December 1884, with the agreement that the designer obtain a design patent. The design patent was issued to Edward L. Morris on June 2, 1885. (See Publications)
Provenance:
The Folk Art Collection of Elie Nadelman
Date Begin:
0
Date End:
1883
eMuseum Object ID:
27653
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.
Chest of drawers
Collections:
Classification:
Date:
1825-1875
Medium:
Wood, paint
Dimensions:
Overall: 9 3/4 x 8 x 4 1/4 in. ( 24.8 x 20.3 x 10.8 cm )
Description:
Wood chest of drawers with serpentine front, bonnet top, and three full-length drawers; hinged box on top secured with metal clasp; chest of drawers painted with cream-colored roses, white daisies, and green leaves on brown ground, across front of drawers and center of sides.
Credit Line:
Purchased from Elie Nadelman
Object Number:
1937.1383
Gallery Label:
This object was once part of the folk art collection of Elie Nadelman (1882-1946), the avant-garde sculptor. From 1924 to 1934, Nadelman's collection was displayed in his Museum of Folk Arts, located in the Riverdale section of the Bronx. The Historical Society purchased Nadelman's entire collection in 1937.
Provenance:
The Folk Art Collection of Elie Nadelman
Date Begin:
0
Date End:
1875
eMuseum Object ID:
27652
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.
Mechanical bank: Hall's Excelsior
Collections:
Classification:
Date:
1869
Medium:
Iron, wood, paint
Dimensions:
Overall: 5 1/8 x 4 x 3 3/4 in. ( 13 x 10.2 x 9.5 cm )
Description:
Cast iron mechanical bank in the form of building, painted white with red and blue decoration, with flat, slightly curved roof with second tier surmounted by cupola, painted green; pierced decoration includes large arched windows on sides, two smaller windows and door on front of bank, and pattern of circles on back; cast inscription on front of bank above details of windows and doors; hole at side of door for pull string (missing); when string is pulled, monkey (cashier) hidden below cupola rises up; when coin is placed on desk, weight of coin causes monkey to drop down, depositing coin into bank.
Credit Line:
Purchased from Elie Nadelman
Object Number:
1937.780a
Marks:
cast: and painted red on front: "HALL'S/EXCELSIOR/BANK"
Gallery Label:
This bank is based on Patent No. 98,055, issued to John Hall of Watertown, MA on December 21, 1869, and Patent No. 162,747, also issued to John Hall, on May 4, 1875.
Provenance:
The Folk Art Collection of Elie Nadelman
Bibliography:
Weinstein, Amy A. "Children's toys." The Magazine Antiques 167 (2005): 188-193.
Date Begin:
0
Date End:
1869
eMuseum Object ID:
27651
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.
Still bank
Classification:
Date:
1870-1900
Medium:
Iron, paint
Dimensions:
Overall: 7 1/2 x 8 x 5 in. ( 19 x 20.3 x 12.7 cm )
Description:
Cast iron still bank in form of mansion with tall tower at center, chimney at each side of building, textured roof, two terraces, stacked on top of each other, with stairs leading down from terrace to landing, and then descending to ground level with steps on each side, on textured base curved around building, painted green; pierced details include three windows in gables, six sets of windows in second story, twelve smaller windows on first floor, with rows of windows in back of terraces; with slot (for coins) in back of roof, and door (with keyhole) on plain back of mansion.
Object Number:
Z.296
Date Begin:
0
Date End:
1900
eMuseum Object ID:
27647
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.
Mechanical bank
Collections:
Classification:
Date:
1880-1890
Medium:
Iron, paint
Dimensions:
Overall: 6 x 5 1/4 x 2 1/2 in. ( 15.2 x 13.3 x 6.4 cm )
Description:
Cast iron mechanical bank in the form of rooster standing on narrow base; cast details include comb, feathers on breast, and more abstract feathers on tail; when coin is placed in slot in tail and lever is pressed, rooster's head nods up and down, and coin is deposited; lever missing.
Credit Line:
Purchased from Elie Nadelman
Object Number:
1937.781
Gallery Label:
This object was once part of the folk art collection of Elie Nadelman (1882-1946), the avant-garde sculptor. From 1924 to 1934, Nadelman's collection was displayed in his Museum of Folk Arts, located in the Riverdale section of the Bronx. The Historical Society purchased Nadelman's entire collection in 1937.
Provenance:
The Folk Art Collection of Elie Nadelman
Date Begin:
0
Date End:
1890
eMuseum Object ID:
27646
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.
Tammany Bank
Classification:
Is owned by NYHS:
Yes
Date:
ca. 1875
Medium:
Iron, paint
Dimensions:
Overall: 5 3/4 x 4 3/8 x 3 in. ( 14.6 x 11.1 x 7.6 cm )
Description:
Cast iron mechanical bank in the form of man seated in chair with low arms and high bank; chair painted green with brown trim, with pierced decoration; man dressed in brown suit with yellow waistcoat, posed with one hand raised (with separate notch of metal to hold coin); cast inscription with fan motif on each side of chair; when coin is placed in figure's hand, the weight of the coin causes the hand to lower and deposit the coin into the pocket of the figure.
Credit Line:
Purchased from Elie Nadelman
Object Number:
1937.1237
Marks:
Inscription: cast on each side of chair: "TAMMANY BANK [with fan motif at center]"
Mark: cast on back of chair, top: "PATD DEC 23 1873"
Nadelman collection sticker: "450/Am"
Gallery Label:
This mechanical bank is said to represent Boss Tweed, the notorious Tammany Hall leader, pocketing illicit money. The Tammany Bank is based on Patent No. 145,734, issued to John Hall on Dec. 23, 1873.
Provenance:
The Folk Art Collection of Elie Nadelman
Bibliography:
Denker, Ellen Paul. "Collector' legacies." The Magazine Antiques 167 (2005): 176-180.
Date Begin:
0
Date End:
1875
eMuseum Object ID:
27565
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.




















