-Flower Basket- still bank c. early 20th century

Editor: This sweet object is titled '-Flower Basket- still bank' dating from the early 20th century, currently held at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. It’s made of metal, pigment and paper. I am struck by the tension between the delicate floral imagery and the hard metal of the basket; what do you make of this curious combination? Curator: It's fascinating, isn't it? Think of the flower basket itself as a symbol. Historically, and even psychologically, a basket brimming with blooms represents abundance, prosperity, and the fruits of one's labor. Now, place that symbolism within the context of a still bank, a repository for savings. The bank is both container and protector of future capital. Do you see now how these signs point toward values cherished in the early 20th-century United States: growth and security? Editor: Absolutely! The flowers as a promise of future gains, almost like an investment blooming into wealth. I also notice the repetitive, almost industrial design of the metalwork. It feels very mass-produced. Curator: Exactly. And that's where it gets interesting. The decorative arts often reflect broader societal trends. Here we see mass production combined with hand-applied illustrative details. The object speaks volumes about early American consumerism and industrial values striving to associate itself with the natural, the safe, and the beautiful. Does the domestic space not become itself an emotional space, too? Editor: That really opens it up for me. I thought it was just a cute bank, but seeing it as a cultural object really deepens its meaning. Curator: Indeed. It’s through these layered symbols that we engage more deeply with a past society's ambitions. What seems simple is very often richly textured with shared histories and human desires.