Banknote motifs: two bands of lathe work ornament 1819 - 1847

These banknote motifs were designed by Cyrus Durand in the 19th century. The patterns, intricate and repetitive, evoke a sense of security and trustworthiness. These ornamental bands find echoes in the borders of ancient Greek pottery or the detailed embellishments of medieval illuminated manuscripts. The circular motifs, reminiscent of eyes, are ancient symbols of protection and vigilance. We see them recurring across cultures, from the Eye of Providence to the protective eyes painted on the bows of ships. The geometric exactitude of the motifs speaks to the cultural obsession with order and control. Much like the symbolic use of keys, the intention behind the repetition of this pattern might be to control who has access to wealth. As we observe their subtle shifts across time, we begin to discern how collective anxieties and aspirations are embedded in these designs. These motifs are not just decorations; they are carriers of cultural memory, resurfacing in new forms to address enduring human concerns.