EARLY-MID 20TH CENTURY AMERICAN VINTAGE 'CUSS BOX' LACQUERED, DECALED SOUTHERN YELLOW PINE WOODEN HANDLED MUG, 

W/TIN SWING SLOTTED LID/ SMALL 

ATTACHED PADLOCK W/PINE 

CONE, RUSTIC THEME

(Circa 1930-1950)

Vintage American gag/party items & miniature toy banks 

DIMENSIONS: 

4 1⁄4" Width (including the handle) 

x  3 3⁄4" Height x 2 3⁄4" base Width

DESCRIPTION: 

The original key is missing but it still opens because the nail hook attached to the key at the top of the mug can be easily lifted to the side, allowing the lid to pivot and freely swing open. Both lacquered semi-transparent lithographed printed decals on the front and rear sidewalls of the mug don't have any real measurable loss except for a few flea-bites along the top margin of the smaller decal. The lathe-turned southern yellow pine is bored-out on the inside and a thin pine branch, without its bark has been fashioned as a handle, attached and glued into two holes drilled into the side of the pine mug. This is a quite rare and unusual vintage American 'Cuss Box' piece in that it's a mug and most items produced during this period that share the 'Cuss Box' bank name, aren't this form and don't feature an attached padlock. It's a great early to mid-20th century, most likely pre-WWII party/gag item, where its mere presence might keep the cussin' down to a minimum and not offend the ladies. Terrific.

CONDITION:

Good to Very Good overall vintage condition.