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

The "Tammany Bank" or "Little Fat Man" mechanical bank, created around 1873 by John Hall, is a whimsical example of folk art. The cast iron figure of a man in a suit, seated in a chair, serves as a playful reminder of the political corruption of the Tammany Hall political machine. The bank's design utilizes the popular trope of a "fat cat" to represent wealth and greed. The bank works by dropping a coin in the slot behind the man's chair, which causes a lever to move, making the man appear to pull a lever and raise his hand. The "Tammany Bank" is a popular collectors item and is a testament to the creative spirit of American folk art.