-The Traveling Teller (registering)- still bank c. 1904

This clever little bank was made by the Automatic Recording Safe Co. at some point in the past. I really love the basic, utilitarian feel of it - the metal, its simple form and engraved details. Look at the way it’s been designed with slots for nickels and dimes, each with its own register – it's so straightforward and direct. It shows how design can be about pure function. But there's an elegance too, in the symmetry and the spacing of the lines. It's almost like a tiny cityscape with its own little monetary skyline. For me, this piece is a reminder that art isn't just about decoration or grand statements. It's about the way we make things, the tools we use, and the way we interact with the world around us. It makes me think of Haim Steinbach and his use of everyday, found objects. He elevated them to a new level of consideration. This little bank does that too. It’s simple and humble, but beautiful.