-The Queen's Doll House- still bank c. early 1920s

Editor: This mixed-media piece, "-The Queen's Doll House- still bank," dates back to the early 1920s. It's currently housed here at Mia. It appears to be a child's money box made to resemble a building, a very beautiful dollhouse. What do you make of this unassuming little piece? Curator: It's a fascinating object. Immediately, I'm drawn to the materiality of this piece – a manufactured tin, likely mass-produced. The very creation of such an item reveals a social context deeply entrenched in consumerism. Notice how the aesthetic of a dollhouse is printed onto this functional object. Editor: Yes, the print does have a beautiful texture. Curator: Absolutely! What's particularly interesting is considering the labor involved in producing these printed tin objects, as well as its potential impact on other types of craft. Does the efficiency of industrial design devalue artisanal skills and traditions? Or democratize design through mass production? Editor: That's an interesting point. Did it perhaps challenge established notions of high and low art? Curator: Precisely. A bank that mimics high architecture becomes accessible as a child’s possession, made cheaply from ordinary materials. Consider also that this object probably encouraged children to participate in the capitalist cycle – saving, acquiring, consuming. What impact might that have on their understanding of value and ownership? Editor: I see what you mean! It’s not just a dollhouse; it’s a tiny propaganda machine! Curator: Perhaps "teaching tool" is kinder. These objects reflect and shape our values as they make their way into everyday life. It truly gives new weight to thinking about the humble object. Editor: Exactly. Now I won't look at my spare change the same way!