-Double Door- still bank c. 1905 - 1920

This "Double Door Still Bank," was probably made by the A. C. Williams Company, and I love it! It's cast iron, and has a kind of rough and ready paint job. I imagine the artist thinking, how can I make something that looks solid and reliable, like a bank should, but also a bit whimsical? They probably started with the basic shape of a building and then added details like the double doors and the fancy window. What a brilliant way to encourage people to save! I imagine the artist thinking about how to balance the overall form with the smaller details, and using the paint to enhance the texture of the cast iron. There's a clear relationship to folk art here and how everyday objects can be elevated to the status of art through the careful application of craft and design.