-Elf House- (vending) mechanical bank c. 1945

This lithographed tin -Elf House- bank, was made by an anonymous artist. Imagine them carefully layering the colours, trying to bring a sense of playfulness to something that will ultimately be about saving money! I think of all the decisions the artist had to make. Did they mix the paints themselves, or did they just pick them from a catalogue? I mean, look at that red on the roof and the little ledge - so bright! Were they thinking of a fairy tale when they were working on the little elf carrying presents? I love how naive it is, how it's not trying to be perfect. It has a kind of charming folk-art vibe, you know? Like something Clarence Carter might have dreamed up. And that's the thing about painting, isn't it? It's this ongoing conversation across time. We all get inspired by each other's work. It’s a feeling.