This charming vintage cat coin bank is a hand-painted folk art piece made of paper mâché, featuring expressive facial details, bold red and green coloring, and playful stitched costume motifs. The sculptural form, raised tail, and bow tie give the cat a whimsical, storybook personality that works beautifully in eclectic and maximalist interiors.
The matte surface, visible brushwork, and light wear are consistent with paper mâché folk art construction rather than ceramic or factory-made novelty banks. Each painted detail was applied freehand, giving the piece a unique, handcrafted character.
A coin slot is located on the back of the head, and a rubber stopper is present on the base, allowing it to function as a traditional savings bank while also serving as a decorative folk art object.
This piece is ideal for collectors of folk art, whimsical decor, vintage animal figures, or cat-themed displays.
MEASUREMENTS
Height: 7 1/4 inches
Width: 4 1/4 inches
Weight: 58 ounces (3.6 lbs)
MATERIAL
Hand-painted paper mâché
CONDITION
Good vintage condition with wear consistent with age and use. There is scattered paint loss and surface wear, along with a small area of loss on the back side, as shown in photos. No structural damage noted. Wear adds to the authentic folk art character of the piece.
ESTIMATED AGE & ORIGIN
Mid to late 20th century, approximately 1960s–1980s.
Folk art style; origin unknown.
Not ceramic. Not a Le Go or Japanese export bank.
STYLING IDEAS
• Eclectic Whimsy shelf or bookcase styling
• Maximalist or folk art vignette
• Nursery or child’s room decor
• Vintage cat or animal figurine collection
• Console table or mantel accent
