I really have no-doubt that this object was made by a German potter, who was employed in Pennsylvania probably during the circa 1870-1900 period. Although, it is worth noting that much of Ontario's red earthenware industry was established by Pennsylvania-German potters, who migrated north after 1840.
To my knowledge, this is the only known example of antique American-made red earthenware that depicts Santa Claus in existence today. However, there are collectible twentieth-century decorative red earthenware Santas that were made by modern Pennsylvania-German potters, such as Lester Breininger and Ned Foltz after 1970. These type of objects were made in the same tradition as were the products that would have been made in the nineteenth-century.
Curiously, I wonder if this was an 'end-of-the-day' piece that was made on behalf of a special request from a client, but I also wonder whether this bank could have been made by a potter, which was then given to a special person on Christmas morning. The rarity of this object seems to indicate (to me) that there is more to its history (and, story) other than just being an extremely rare bank or figure to see today.
According to Crocker Farm, "...This Santa Claus bank was probably made in Pennsylvania in the late-nineteenth-century. A doll's head can be seen peaking from Santa Claus' bag of presents. This bank is ex-Bill Bertoia Collection, and it was also sold at Christie's in New York City on March 13, 1991."
Late-19th Century Red Earthenware Bank in the Form of Santa Claus
Probably Made in Pennsylvania
Circa 1870-1900
Stands 9 3/4" Tall
Sold for $33,000 (Including Buyer's Premium) in 2005
Photo Courtesy: Crocker Farm - Sparks, MD
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