-Coronation Bank c. 1953

Editor: Here we have "-Coronation Bank", a bronze and metal sculpture created around 1953. It looks like a miniature crown, maybe a paperweight, or... well, a bank! What immediately strikes me is its intricate detail and somewhat aged appearance. How would you interpret this piece? Curator: Let's begin with the object itself. The patinated bronze, while suggesting age, also directs us to its materiality. The textures—the smoothness of the crown juxtaposed with the tufted base—create a tactile tension. Notice the formal symmetry, disrupted only by the presence of what appears to be a screw. Editor: Yes, the screw on the top! I hadn't considered it as a formal disruption. It does seem at odds with the rest of the crown's ornamental structure. Is there a meaning in that contrast, do you think? Curator: Precisely! This introduces a layer of semiotic play. The screw—a symbol of industry and utilitarianism—collides with the crown, which embodies power and tradition. Is it a subtle commentary on the diminishing authority of royalty in a modern age? Or could it indicate its functionality to extract your savings from a royal icon. The structural integrity is reinforced via the horizontal and the curve of the arc which contrasts with the hard edges of the base Editor: That’s fascinating. I was focused on its aesthetic value, but looking closer at its contrasting textures and that screw, I realize it provokes so many questions. Thanks for your insight into it! Curator: The close reading allows us to unpack those contrasts to consider historical change and societal structure of authority.