JOLLY NIGGER BANK - JOHN HARPER CO
1) Wondering if you might be able to help me identify a bank I found in Mumbai India? It's cast aluminum and I've looked at tons of images but can't find another exactly like it- a few similar ones but this has been a real mystery to me. It is of my opinion that this is a recast of the original Jolly Nigger Bank by John Harper Co, possibly made in India, which has been known for making copies of old artifacts. There are several indications. Old cast banks are smooth to the touch. This particular bank has a rough looking appearance. The coloring is wrong. To my knowledge, all Jolly Nigger Banks of this variety were red. Seams on old banks are very tight where the 2 castings join together. The pictures appear to show some gaps in the seams. The bottom plate is wrong. If there are any markings on the inside, let me know. 2) Can you help identify this bank? My mother was an antique dealer and this belonged to her. THIS appears to be a nice example of a c 1905 Jolly Ni