Chest of drawers still bank c. 1820

This diminutive “Chest of Drawers Still Bank” was made by an anonymous artist and its date is unknown. This compact, wooden structure presents itself as a miniature chest of drawers, its deep brown hue evoking warmth. The eye is drawn to the tri-layered symmetry of the drawers, each punctuated with spherical knobs, their regularity broken only by the undulating curves of the side supports and the scalloped headboard. It's a compelling study in scale and functionality, reimagined. The piece invites consideration of how utilitarian forms can transition into the realm of art, challenging established categories. This work destabilizes the fixed meaning of what a bank or child's toy is. It asks us to rethink how objects, through their form and material, engage in a broader dialogue about function, representation, and cultural values. Its appeal resides not just in its craft but in its capacity to engage the viewer in a process of questioning and re-evaluation.