Peach still bank c. 1860

This small peach bank was made by an anonymous maker, and its date is unknown. It's made of glazed earthenware, and is surprisingly weighty in the hand. You can see the skill involved in shaping the clay, likely on a wheel, to get this convincing imitation of a ripe peach. Its surface has a slight texture, mimicking the fuzz of the fruit. A thin slit at the top turns the sculpture into a functional object. The peach itself is a symbol of prosperity and longevity in many cultures. This bank, though, reflects a more modern kind of aspiration: the ability to save, to accumulate capital. The humble materials and straightforward process of making this bank stand in stark contrast to the complexities of the financial world it gestures toward. It makes you think about the labor involved in making a life, one coin at a time. This is a reminder that everyday objects can carry profound social and economic meaning.