-Humpty Dumpty- still bank c. 1920s

This still bank of Humpty Dumpty is one of the many cast iron mechanical and still banks produced in America during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. These banks were made in an era defined by rapid industrialization and evolving attitudes toward labor and capital. The figure of Humpty Dumpty perched precariously on a wall invites us to consider themes of fragility and failure, both personal and economic. The bank transforms the nursery rhyme character into a symbol of financial vulnerability. In this context, the act of saving money takes on added significance; a bulwark against an uncertain future. The piece serves as a poignant reminder of the delicate balance between stability and collapse, urging us to reflect on the stories we tell ourselves about success and security.