-Security Box- still bank c. early 20th century

Editor: So this "Security Box" Still Bank is from the early 20th century and currently resides here at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. It appears to be crafted with mixed-media and metal. It reminds me of something you'd see in an old movie! What's your interpretation of it? Curator: It's charming, isn’t it? The worn red paint, the whimsical floral accents—it feels like holding a memory. I imagine a child, painstakingly saving their pennies. Doesn't that singular slot invite us into their hopeful little world? Think about the decorative arts movement at the time - the emphasis on accessible beauty, function blending with artistry. Editor: I do wonder what the significance of the stylized golden flourishes and that very prominent keyhole are meant to signal? Curator: It's playful, but it's also asserting the importance of what’s inside. Perhaps a tiny, sturdy castle guarding their treasures. It makes me wonder...what would *we* safeguard with such care today, you know, beyond just money? Editor: That’s a wonderful question… It certainly makes you consider how different our perspective on value is today, in the early 21st century. I appreciate your view; I hadn’t considered the playful aspect so directly before. Curator: Absolutely! Art's best when it sparks new thought. I never thought a humble little still bank could prompt thoughts about both play and purpose!