-Flatiron Building Bank c. 1904 - 1926

The Kenton Hardware Manufacturing Co. made this Flatiron Building Bank sometime between 1890 and 1950, probably using cast iron. It’s amazing, right? The whole thing has this cool, slightly corroded silvery color that gives it real character. You can see all the tiny details of the building, like each window, almost as if they've created a whole world in miniature. The texture is everything here – it's rough, imperfect, and you can totally imagine the hands that crafted it. I’m drawn to the way the surface isn't smooth or shiny. Instead, it’s got this matte, almost chalky finish. It makes the whole piece feel approachable, like you could pick it up and feel the weight of it in your hands. I think that relates to artists like Haim Steinbach, whose work takes everyday objects and presents them back to us in a way that makes us see them differently. It makes you think about how we value things and how simple objects can become something special.