-Key Lock Safe- still bank c. 1897

E. Stevens created this still bank – Key Lock Safe – date unknown, a poignant object reflecting a period of burgeoning industrialization and evolving notions of value. The intricate floral decorations belie the true function of the piece. During an era of economic expansion, objects like these were marketed to children, encouraging them to internalize the importance of saving. Yet, who had the luxury to save, and who was systematically denied access to capital? This bank becomes a charged symbol when viewed through the lenses of class and access. Consider the emotional landscape of a child carefully placing coins into this bank, dreaming of future possibilities. Now think about children whose labor might have contributed to the manufacture of such objects, their own futures uncertain. As such, this small safe encapsulates larger societal dynamics, subtly revealing how power and privilege are instilled from an early age.