-Cupola Bank- still bank 1869

Editor: Here we have "-Cupola Bank- still bank," created in 1869 by the Dover Stamping Company. It's a small, metal sculpture resembling a miniature bank building. It has a slightly aged or weathered appearance. What can you tell me about it? Curator: Well, considering the material reality of this piece, I am drawn to its means of production and the social context in which it was created. Look at the roughhewn nature of the metal, the simplicity of the assemblage. This challenges our traditional understanding of "high art." Don’t you think? Editor: Yes, it certainly feels more functional object than fine art, but does its functionality also provide commentary on the society for which it was produced? Curator: Exactly! The bank, a potent symbol of industrial capitalism and a locus of societal exchange. How were these miniature banks produced? Were they cast in factories? If so, by whom? Anonymized labor contributed to this simulacra of the banking institution itself, speaking to broader concerns of labor, capital, and material culture. Editor: So you're suggesting it’s not just a decorative piece but speaks to the burgeoning financial landscape of the 19th century? Curator: Precisely. It prompts questions about the distribution of wealth, the material conditions of its manufacture, and the very concept of banking itself. It's not just about form; it's about the underlying economic structures. What do you think the original users of this "bank" knew about banking practices at the time? Editor: It's fascinating to think about it as a material commentary on economic systems rather than just a quaint historical artifact. Thank you! Curator: Indeed! By shifting our focus to materials, labor, and production, we unveil hidden narratives embedded in the object itself. There's always more to explore beyond the surface.