-Seated Spaniel- still bank c. 19th century

Editor: Here we have a ceramic sculpture from the 19th century titled "-Seated Spaniel- still bank," authorship unknown, currently housed at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. The piece feels quite humble, almost like a child’s toy, yet it possesses this undeniable charm. What strikes you most about it? Curator: What immediately catches my attention is how this seemingly simple object reflects a much broader socio-economic landscape. The rise of the middle class in 19th-century England created a demand for affordable, decorative objects. Pottery banks like this one were not just for saving money; they were signifiers of domestic respectability and aspiration. Do you see how the dog, a symbol of loyalty and companionship, reinforces that message? Editor: I see what you mean. It’s not just a piggy bank; it’s about wanting to be seen a certain way. But who was the target audience? Wealthier families or more working-class homes? Curator: Primarily, these would have found their way into homes of the burgeoning middle class. Consider how these objects were often marketed—think of trade cards, window displays—they participated in a visual culture that reinforced notions of domesticity and upward mobility. What do you think its presence would signify within a Victorian home? Editor: Perhaps, displaying it showed they were responsible, forward-thinking. A family on the up and up? That is interesting considering we would often attribute this as the opposite nowadays! Curator: Precisely! Its value lies not just in its aesthetic appeal but in what it reveals about the social dynamics of its time. I wonder if its creation as part of the industrial revolution and the social status attributed would make it seem as aesthetically pleasing now if its context was completely unknown. Editor: I’m starting to see these humble decorative pieces in a completely different light. Thinking about the role these pieces played in constructing and communicating social identity is quite fascinating. Thanks for showing that!