Skip to main content
Video Loading
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 21

Early 20th Century Large Marble Bank Frieze, Plaque with Beehive and Coins

$6,500
£4,861.79
€5,683.84
CA$9,188.72
A$9,231.25
CHF 5,324.67
MX$112,339.73
NOK 61,853.48
SEK 62,743.67
DKK 42,490.01

About the Item

Early 20th Century large marble bank frieze, plaque with a single bee, beehive and Coins salvaged from a local bank built in 1929 in Stamford Ct. The plaque featuring a beehive with a single bee and coins is a historic symbol of thrift, hard work, and the accumulation of wealth. Many 19th and 20th-century savings banks used this image, and the specific composition likely emphasizes the rewards of individual industry. Breakdown of the symbolism The beehive: The hive represents a community that is working together harmoniously toward a common goal. In a banking context, the beehive signifies the collective good that comes from many individuals saving and contributing to an institution. The single bee: While the hive represents the community, the single bee symbolizes the diligent and hardworking individual depositor. It encourages each person to be industrious, save their money, and contribute to their own financial security. The coins: The coins at the base of the plaque represent the honey or "sweet reward" of saving. Just as bees collect nectar to create honey, the depositor's hard work and saving results in the accumulation of wealth. The coins are a visual testament to the financial prosperity that comes from consistent and purposeful saving. The overall message: The plaque was a common marketing tool for early savings banks, particularly during the Industrial Revolution. It was meant to inspire a sense of financial responsibility by communicating a simple message: If you work hard (the bee) and save your money diligently (the beehive), you will be rewarded with prosperity (the coins. This is a great piece needs a good cleaning but overall in very good condition. It is solid marble estimated weight 1000lbs. a nice piece of banking history.
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 59 in (149.86 cm)Width: 54 in (137.16 cm)Depth: 6 in (15.24 cm)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    Circa 1920s
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use.
  • Seller Location:
    Stamford, CT
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: UHP-Magna-ENN1stDibs: LU928546996262

More From This Seller

View All
Early 20th Century Terra-Cotta Frieze, Indian Head with Egg & Dart Border NYC

Early 20th Century Terra-Cotta Frieze, Indian Head with Egg & Dart Border NYC

Located in Stamford, CT

Early 20th century terra-cotta frieze, highly decorative with an Indian Head center and a egg and dart border. Salvaged from the façade of a New York City Building in the late 1970s ...

Category

Early 20th Century American Architectural Elements

Materials

Terracotta

19th Century Victorian Carrara Marble Mantel Keystone

19th Century Victorian Carrara Marble Mantel Keystone

Located in Stamford, CT

A 19th Century Victorian carrara marble mantel keystone with a carved scallop shell. This is a beautiful antique carved marble fireplace mantel keystone, featuring a scallop shell design. These keystones were often the decorative centerpiece of Victorian-era fireplaces and reflect the intricate craftsmanship of the 19th century. This is one of the best carved marble keystones...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century American Architectural Elements

Materials

Carrara Marble

Antique Marble Corbels, Hand-Carved Acanthus Leaf Design, Circa 1920s

Antique Marble Corbels, Hand-Carved Acanthus Leaf Design, Circa 1920s

Located in Stamford, CT

Antique pair of marble corbels in Acanthus Leaf Pattern. This pair is made from solid marble, which have been hand carved with the architectural element of ornate scrolling. The corb...

Category

Early 20th Century American Architectural Elements

Materials

Marble

Antique French Marble Mantel

Antique French Marble Mantel

Located in Stamford, CT

Very unique late 19th century French marble mantel. Wonderful deep rouge color marble with an unusual clock in the center. Straight lines with corbel des...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Fireplaces and Mantels

Materials

Marble

Early 20th Century Antique Carved Wood Marble Top Server / Buffet

Early 20th Century Antique Carved Wood Marble Top Server / Buffet

Located in Stamford, CT

This beautiful carved wood marble top server with a single drawer has an unique marble top with many colors. At one time this was one of many pieces from a magnificent dining room se...

Category

Early 20th Century American Buffets

Materials

Marble

You May Also Like

Large Antique Italian Renaissance Style Stone Frieze

Large Antique Italian Renaissance Style Stone Frieze

Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire

A large antique Italian stone chimney piece frieze dating to circa 1800. Originally salvaged from a monumental scale fireplace, this frieze displays fine carving in relief depicting...

Category

Antique Early 19th Century Italian Renaissance Architectural Elements

Materials

Stone

Small Italian Limestone Bas Relief Plaque, Crinkled Ribbon and Fruit Carvings

Small Italian Limestone Bas Relief Plaque, Crinkled Ribbon and Fruit Carvings

Located in Dallas, TX

Hand-carved in Italy, this small limestone plaque depicts a bas-relief display of flowers, fruit, and leaves accompanied by a crinkled ribbon bow. The ends of the ribbon gracefully t...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Natural Specimens

Materials

Stone, Limestone

19th Century Italian Carved Marble Architectural Frieze Sculpture of Caesar

19th Century Italian Carved Marble Architectural Frieze Sculpture of Caesar

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

19th Century Italian carved marble Architectural Frieze Sculpture of Caesar, Of rectangular form the finely carved Carrera Marble 50" x 20" slab w...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Italian Classical Roman Architectural Elements

Materials

Carrara Marble, Statuary Marble, Steel

Late 19th Century Framed Plaster Painted Architectural Wall Fragment, Paris

Late 19th Century Framed Plaster Painted Architectural Wall Fragment, Paris

Located in Haddonfield, NJ

As found years ago in Paris, France. This wood framed plaster architectural wall fragment is truly one of a kind. This sturdy fragment features Rococo d...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Rococo Architectural Elements

Materials

Wood, Paint, Plaster

Monumental Egyptian Revival Bronze Wall Relief Sculpture

Monumental Egyptian Revival Bronze Wall Relief Sculpture

Located in Kent, CT

A large and impressive early 20th-century bronze relief sculpture in the Egyptian-Revival style. At the center of the relief is an orb flanked by mirrored cobras and radiating wings ...

Category

Vintage 1920s Egyptian Revival Architectural Elements

Materials

Bronze