-Leap Frog Bank- mechanical bank c. 1891

Editor: Right, let's talk about this whimsical “Leap Frog Bank” made around 1891. It’s a mechanical bank – essentially a sculpture made of metal. It strikes me as rather odd and nostalgic. I mean, imagine saving money with something this intricate! What catches your eye, or how would you interpret such an object? Curator: Oh, this brings me back! Beyond the obvious kitsch, it's a fascinating cultural artifact, really. Look at the figures: one poised, one crouched, the tension palpable. This isn't just about saving money; it's a snapshot of late 19th-century American life. Can't you almost hear the echoes of laughter and childhood games? Notice the clever mechanics: money as a kind of active participant, animating a game… it's playful and poignant at once. Does that ring true for you? Editor: Absolutely. It’s almost like a little narrative unfolding. The money is, like, the next player? A reward for participating in capitalism from an early age? It's interesting to view the mechanical process as narrative art. Curator: Precisely! I imagine its creator relishing that blend of industry, art, and sheer fun. Think of the optimism and ingenuity poured into making this "simple" toy bank. Each colour carefully painted! Do you feel that sort of creative joy too, reflecting on it? It brings to mind old carnival games somehow. Editor: I do now! The interaction transforms such an object from mere pop kitsch to an object offering more. And that turn of the century optimism… that adds something beyond what I had considered at first. Curator: Exactly! It makes me wonder about the hands that held it, the coins slipped into it, and all those unspoken hopes tied to it. Now, let’s leap to the next artwork…