Bird still bank c. 20th century

This little bird bank by Candelaria Montero is made of painted clay, and it's all about process. You can almost see the artist's hands shaping the clay, pinching and smoothing, letting the material have its say. The surface is wonderfully imperfect. That terracotta color, with its smudges and variations, feels so warm and earthy, as if it was taken straight from the ground. Notice those simple, dark strokes. Are they feathers? Or just decoration? They seem to dance across the surface, giving the bird a sense of movement and life. Then there’s the slot on top. Just big enough for a coin, it's a little reminder of the bird's purpose. This piece reminds me of the work of Joan Miró, playful and surreal. It’s a reminder that art doesn't always have to be slick or polished. Sometimes, the most beautiful things are the ones that show the hand of the artist, embracing the mess and the magic of the process.