Antique American Jewish Tzedakah Charity Box Bank Judaica 1900-1935 Folk Art

Description

11 inches high, 12 inches wide, 11 inches deep. This is an antique American milk-drop off container that was converted into a Jewish charity box. This is in the days of America where the milkman made daily deliveries because this was before refrigeration, so this box was by the door of the outside of the house, and this thick, heavy "galvanized metal", kept the milk cold. According to what I've read online - "A Quick History of Home Milk Delivery": 'By the 1930s and 1940s almost every home had a refrigerator. Fridges replaced iceboxes- the first step in the decline of milk delivery'.
So, by the 1930's/40's hit, this metal box lost its purpose. Judging by the very high quality of the Hebrew lettering, scrollwork, vase, etc., this was converted well before 1945, I would say no later than 1935.
It reads on the front in Hebrew "Charity", above a flower vase, and at top, an animal on each side that looks like a cow or a bull (is this a joke by the engraver, cow=milk?). That iron latch was soldered onto the box so it could be locked (another indication that this was converted well before World War Two, that is a beautiful, 1910's-1920's piece of ironwork). Each side reads in Hebrew "Money Box for the Community". The lid had a little slot fashioned and affixed to it, and there are four holes on the underside, which means that was bolted to a table, likely in a Synagogue.
This is truly a one of a kind piece of American Folk Art that is also Judaica.