-Tammany Bank- or -Little Fat Man- mechanical bank c. 1873

"Tammany Bank" or "Little Fat Man" is a cast iron mechanical bank created by John Hall around 1873. This whimsical piece depicts a rotund man in a suit and bow tie, sitting in a chair, and playfully holding his hand out to receive a coin. The bank is brightly colored and features a detailed design that is typical of the American folk art movement of the 19th century. This particular piece is housed in the Minneapolis Institute of Art, and exemplifies the popularity of mechanical banks during the late 19th century.