This Royal Doulton Bunnykins money bank takes the form of a miniature upright book, turning one of the company’s best-known nurseryware patterns into a particularly playful piece of decorative giftware.
The white ceramic body is illustrated on nearly every surface with scenes from the Bunnykins world. One side carries the Bunnykins name in deep red above a pair of running rabbits, while the broad faces feature colorful vignettes of the rabbits at play. Among the scenes visible on this example are a Bunnykins character battling the wind with an umbrella and another outdoor scene with tents, surrounded by the familiar running-rabbit motif.
The opposite face is molded with narrow vertical ribs resembling the pages of a closed book, while a horizontal slot near the top serves as the opening for coins. The unusual book-shaped form was produced by Royal Doulton during the late 20th century and is documented among Bunnykins novelty money banks from the 1980s. Comparable examples are generally dated to approximately 1986–1988.
Bunnykins itself originated in the 1930s from illustrations created by Barbara Vernon, the pen name used by Sister Mary Barbara Bailey.
Condition
Good pre-owned vintage condition with visible age-related wear.
There is a noticeable chip / glaze loss at one upper corner, visible in the photographs, along with minor surface marks and light wear around the edges and base.
The circular opening on the underside is present, but the original stopper is missing.
The printed Bunnykins decoration remains colorful and clearly defined overall. No obvious major structural cracks are visible.
Details
Maker: Royal Doulton
Collection: Bunnykins
Type: Money bank / coin bank
Form: Book-shaped
Material: Glazed ceramic / porcelain
Color: White with multicolor transfer decoration
Front text: Bunnykins
Decoration: Bunnykins rabbit scenes and running-rabbit motifs
Featured scenes: Rabbit with umbrella; outdoor / camping Bunnykins scene
Back: Molded vertical ribbing resembling book pages
Coin opening: Horizontal slot near upper edge
Base opening: Circular access opening
Stopper: Missing
Bottom marking: Bunnykins / Royal Doulton Tableware Ltd. / ©1936
Copyright date: 1936
Manufacturing era: Late 1980s
Documented production: Comparable book-form examples are dated approximately 1986–1988
Country associated with documented examples: England
Approximate documented size: About 4–4.5 inches high × 4 inches wide × 2.5–3 inches deep
Macondo Room Object No. 033
This Royal Doulton Bunnykins money bank takes the form of a miniature upright book, turning one of the company’s best-known nurseryware patterns into a particularly playful piece of decorative giftware.
The white ceramic body is illustrated on nearly every surface with scenes from the Bunnykins world. One side carries the Bunnykins name in deep red above a pair of running rabbits, while the broad faces feature colorful vignettes of the rabbits at play. Among the scenes visible on this example are a Bunnykins character battling the wind with an umbrella and another outdoor scene with tents, surrounded by the familiar running-rabbit motif.
The opposite face is molded with narrow vertical ribs resembling the pages of a closed book, while a horizontal slot near the top serves as the opening for coins. The unusual book-shaped form was produced by Royal Doulton during the late 20th century and is documented among Bunnykins novelty money banks from the 1980s. Comparable examples are generally dated to approximately 1986–1988.
Bunnykins itself originated in the 1930s from illustrations created by Barbara Vernon, the pen name used by Sister Mary Barbara Bailey.
Condition
Good pre-owned vintage condition with visible age-related wear.
There is a noticeable chip / glaze loss at one upper corner, visible in the photographs, along with minor surface marks and light wear around the edges and base.
The circular opening on the underside is present, but the original stopper is missing.
The printed Bunnykins decoration remains colorful and clearly defined overall. No obvious major structural cracks are visible.
Details
Maker: Royal Doulton
Collection: Bunnykins
Type: Money bank / coin bank
Form: Book-shaped
Material: Glazed ceramic / porcelain
Color: White with multicolor transfer decoration
Front text: Bunnykins
Decoration: Bunnykins rabbit scenes and running-rabbit motifs
Featured scenes: Rabbit with umbrella; outdoor / camping Bunnykins scene
Back: Molded vertical ribbing resembling book pages
Coin opening: Horizontal slot near upper edge
Base opening: Circular access opening
Stopper: Missing
Bottom marking: Bunnykins / Royal Doulton Tableware Ltd. / ©1936
Copyright date: 1936
Manufacturing era: Late 1980s
Documented production: Comparable book-form examples are dated approximately 1986–1988
Country associated with documented examples: England
Approximate documented size: About 4–4.5 inches high × 4 inches wide × 2.5–3 inches deep
Macondo Room Object No. 033
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