-Cupola Bank- still bank 1872

E. Stevens created this -Cupola Bank- still bank of painted cast iron. The design reflects the early 20th-century American fascination with financial institutions, embodying ideals of security and prosperity. These banks were not merely for saving money; they were tools in shaping moral character, especially for children, by instilling the virtues of thrift and discipline. The architecture is reminiscent of the time, suggesting a period of optimism in American economic growth. However, there's an inherent tension in this object. While it promotes saving, it also subtly reinforces the class dynamics tied to financial institutions, reminding us that access to capital and wealth is not universally distributed. The bank, in its innocent form, becomes a symbol of both aspiration and the economic divide within society.