-Donkey c. 1913s - 1923s

Curator: How endearing! This miniature metal sculpture of a donkey immediately strikes me as both charming and nostalgic. Editor: Nostalgic indeed! Knowing this metal figure was crafted by Arcade Manufacturing Company between 1913 and 1923, we have to think about its production and distribution within a complex social reality of labor. Curator: True, its realism makes it very accessible; the donkey as an archetype is present in so many cultures, representing perseverance, humility, and even stubbornness. And Arcade Manufacturing was definitely playing with common values associated with childhood and family life. The painted surface, worn with age, hints at its history as an object that was touched and valued. Editor: Exactly. I find it striking how figuration and realism serve such different purposes across art history and in mass-produced objects like this. While classical sculptures used realism to embody power and status, here it speaks more to widespread sentiments. Did children in that period perceive an innocence embodied in the animal kingdom because it would normalize certain power imbalances already present in that society? Curator: Fascinating to consider. It may also suggest something of the relationship between humans and animals. I am tempted to look at the donkey as a universal figure—much like religious symbols whose meanings become concentrated over generations, it seems everyone recognizes its role, whether burden-bearing or as a companion. Editor: The very act of miniature sculpting and modeling also brings class into focus. During this period of immense immigration and changing gender roles in society, access to owning toys was not equitable across families, or even within them. In a world before widespread entertainment and mass manufacturing of goods, one can understand why people saw that form factor and design as embodying very modern realities. Curator: You have me considering the loaded implications surrounding this diminutive piece with entirely fresh eyes! Editor: It is why, despite its modest scale, "Donkey" holds surprising complexities when we situate it within broader cultural contexts. Curator: A small figure with surprisingly profound depths. Thank you!