Toy Bank c. 1941

Edward D. Williams's 'Toy Bank' presents us with more than just a child's plaything, rendered in watercolor. Notice the donkey, poised to deposit a coin into what appears to be a doghouse. The donkey, historically, is a beast of burden, associated with patience and humility, but also stubbornness. Here, it performs an act of industriousness, dropping money into a kennel. Think back to ancient fables: the donkey, often a symbol of the common man, now interacting with a symbol of domesticity and loyalty - the dog's house. This interplay evokes an emotional resonance, a complex dance of labor, reward, and perhaps, even social commentary. Consider how such motifs recur – animals enacting human roles, a topsy-turvy world reflecting our own societal structures. The image captivates us on a deeper level, stirring subconscious associations with work, home, and our place within it all. This seemingly simple toy bank becomes a stage for the human drama of daily life.