-Presto- still bank c. 1905 - 1934

Editor: Here we have the “-Presto- still bank” made by the A.C. Williams Company, likely between 1905 and 1934. It seems to be a ceramic sculpture resembling a bank building. It has this aged, almost worn look. What do you see when you look at this piece? Curator: This “still bank,” beyond its function, serves as a potent symbol of early 20th-century values. It embodies the rise of financial institutions and their increasing influence on the everyday lives of working-class families. Considering the period, do you think access to banking was equally distributed, or were there social and economic barriers? Editor: I imagine there were huge disparities, and some people were totally excluded from the financial system. Curator: Exactly! This piece can become a touchstone for discussions around class, accessibility, and even the narratives we build around money and success. Who did this idealized bank building *really* represent, and whose financial realities were excluded from the picture? And consider its small size—a child's object. What values was this teaching the next generation? Editor: It’s kind of unsettling when you look at it that way. It’s not just a cute little bank, it’s a lesson about power. Curator: Precisely. How does reflecting on its historical context affect your interpretation of the piece? Editor: It definitely makes me see it differently. I guess I’m thinking more about the social messages behind the form, not just its aesthetic appeal. Curator: And by analyzing objects like this, we reveal broader societal attitudes and power dynamics. I think this little bank encourages us to confront the more profound, and sometimes uncomfortable, relationships we have with institutions. Editor: It definitely does. I will never look at a still bank the same way again!