-Tank Bank USA c. 1920s

This "Tank Bank USA" was made by the A.C. Williams Company, and it's a small, sturdy thing. You can imagine the molten metal being poured, cooled, then the careful process of adding details. I feel for the artist, thinking about the balance between the playful and serious at that time. It must have been on their mind. The texture of the metal, that warm, bronzy color, it gives the object such weight, both physically and emotionally. The lettering on the side – “Tank Bank USA” – is particularly striking. It’s like a little history lesson etched into the surface. It's such a specific combination of function, patriotism, and a child’s sense of play. I wonder about the other artists and makers from the period that were exploring some of the same themes. There's a conversation that happens between makers over time, ideas passing between them, inspiring new creativity. It's an invitation to find new meanings and perspectives.