-Coronation Bank 1911

This cast iron 'Coronation Bank' coin-holder was probably made by Sydenham & McOustra, but who knows? It’s an object made to keep your pennies, but it’s also a celebration of power with its crests and flowers. I wonder what was going through their minds when they made this - what did they want people to think about the monarchy, about money, about themselves? The raised inscriptions invite you to touch them, feel them. I like how the details are blurred and imprecise, leaving room for your imagination. The brown patina reminds me of the way time and oxidation change things, almost like a painting that evolves over time. It’s a conversation between the maker, the material, and us, the viewers. And it's a reminder that everything changes, including our ideas about who has the power, and who gets to save their money.