-Crystal Bank- still bank c. 1910 - 1925

This "Crystal Bank" still bank, made by Arcade Manufacturing Company, is a small, fascinating object. The combination of glass and patinated metal is intriguing. It is like a little architectural study, a miniature building for saving money. Look closely and you will see the glass cylinder sits between a heavily worked metal base and a delicate, decorative dome. The metal parts have a corroded, bronze-like color, which suggests time and use. The dome is particularly interesting, with its cage-like structure creating a sense of enclosure and protection for the savings within. It is like a little Fort Knox! You know, this piece reminds me a bit of Joseph Cornell's boxes, those small worlds contained within a frame. Both embrace a sense of nostalgia and invite us to peer into a different reality. Ultimately, the beauty of this bank, like any good art, lies in its ability to spark our imagination and make us see the world in a new way.