Ziebarth's Auctions
Live Auction

Early Advertising & Antique Americana

Fri, May 29, 2026 11:00AM EDT
Lot 168

Late 19th-Century American Political Satire Bronze Sculpture of a Donkey on a Dollar Coin Base

Estimate: $30 - $10,000

Bid Increments

Price Bid Increment
$0 $10
$100 $25
$500 $50
$1,500 $100
$3,000 $250
$5,000 $1,000
$10,000 $2,500
$50,000 $5,000

A late 19th-century American cast bronze political satire figural group, likely produced in the late 1890s during the Free Silver movement. The sculpture depicts a braying donkey, representing the Democratic Party, seated on its haunches with its head thrown back and mouth open wide. The donkey sits atop a circular base designed to resemble a large coin, featuring a reeded vertical edge. Beneath the donkey's rear and hind legs is a smaller animal, representing an opposing political or economic force, which appears to be crushed. The sculpture is finished with a dark brown patina that shows lighter bronze highlights on the raised surfaces. The top surface of the base features the raised letters GET UP LET THE DOLLAR WORK. The vertical reeded edge of the base contains the partially visible raised letters ON THE ASS. A copyright symbol is cast into the top of the base behind the donkey's tail.

Condition

Measures approx 5.5 inches tall. Some damage noted, specifically to the ear.

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