-Owl- still bank c. 1930s

This cast iron owl bank, made by the National Sewing Machine Company, has a certain gravitas to it. It is the kind of object that seems to embody the weight of history. I imagine the act of its making: metal, heated and poured, filling a mold, setting, painted with quick, broad strokes in earthy tones, ochre, and off-white. A play of light and shadow across its surface, not unlike the way light falls across a painting. The small marks create a sense of texture, giving the owl a tactile presence. Those expressive eyes, staring out into the world—do you think the maker knew how soulful they would appear? I love to think that the person who painted this owl was also influenced by painters, maybe a little Van Gogh? This humble object speaks to the rich history of artistic inspiration. It's a reminder that art is an ongoing conversation, with artists across time building upon each other's ideas.