-Sea Lion (or Seal on Rock)- still bank c. 1910 - 1913

Curator: Here we have a bronze sculpture titled "-Sea Lion (or Seal on Rock)- still bank," created circa 1910-1913 by the Arcade Manufacturing Company. Editor: Isn't it striking? It radiates such quiet dignity. Like he’s seen empires rise and fall. Or maybe he's just judging my outfit. Either way, I'm captivated. Curator: Well, consider its materiality. It's cast bronze, likely produced in a factory setting during the early 20th century. Arcade specialized in metal toys and banks, items intended for mass consumption, not necessarily “high art”. Editor: Ah, but doesn't that challenge the artifice we build around “high art”? Think about the craft involved, the careful mold-making. This was someone’s labor, shaped by skill and intention. And even mass produced, its earthy tone hints at something timeless and deeply comforting, like smooth driftwood you'd find on the beach. Curator: Absolutely, and this speaks to the tension between industrial production and artistry. These “still banks” were often designed to encourage saving, to instill values of thrift in children. They were, in essence, instruments of social engineering masked as toys. Editor: A sobering thought! Makes you wonder what unspoken rules this little bronze guy has absorbed. Does his gaze hold the memory of whispered wishes, of childhood dreams wrapped up with every penny dropped into his back? Curator: And we can analyze it formally – its simplified lines, its compact form that reflects its functionality. The medium is as essential as the image itself. It reveals how artistry permeated everyday objects and highlights social ideologies linked with industrial advancements. Editor: So it becomes this multi-layered experience, like diving into the depths of this sea lion’s enigmatic stare. The sculpture's inviting yet grounded presence reminds me of quiet strength, persistence—a beacon amidst changing tides, a gentle spirit for a changing world. Curator: It certainly presents a compelling juxtaposition: an everyday, mass-produced object that nonetheless sparks thoughtful reflections. Editor: And a delightful puzzle box of history, craft, and social commentary hidden in bronze, urging us to reflect and wonder.