Kyser & Rex Cast Iron “Lion and Two Monkeys” Mechanical Bank *SOLD*

Kyser & Rex Cast Iron “Lion and Two Monkeys” Mechanical Bank 

We have for you a cast iron “Lion and Two Monkeys” mechanical bank that was manufactured by the Kyser & Rex Company of Philadelphia/Frankfort, Pennsylvania.  

This is a working mechanical bank. This bank works by placing a coin in the monkey’s hand and pressing the lever at the base of the tree. When the lever is pressed the monkey throws the coin at the lion who opens his mouth and catches it at the same time. While the mother monkey is throwing coins and the lion is catching and eating them, the baby monkey jumps up onto the mother monkey’s back. The trap door is a replacement. The baby monkey is a replacement. The lion’s right eye is a replacement.

This piece is in very good overall condition. This piece shows the usual patina, fading, dust, chips, scuffs, surface rust, scratches, missing accessories, and wear that are to be expected from age and play. This is approximately 10″ L x 9 ¼” W. We invite you to view the photos to further determine quality and condition.      

A brief history of Kyser & Rex Company of Philadelphia/Frankfort, Pennsylvania:  

1880 – 1884  

Founder: Louis Kyser and Alfred C. Rex  

Specialty: Cast-iron toys and mechanical banks. Among their highly desirable banks are Hindu with Turban, Uncle Tom, Chimpanzee the Organ Bank, Lion, and Monkeys.  

In 1884, Louis Kyser left the company and Kyser & Rex Company soon became Alfred C. Rex & Company and was also known as ‘Variety Iron Works’. A.C. Rex & Company closed shuttered the business in 1899.