-Piggy Bank (amber)- still bank c. 20th century

This amber-colored "Piggy Bank" was created by an anonymous artist, its date of origin unknown. Notice how the form is both representational and abstract. The textured glass gives a tactile quality, yet the simplification of the pig's form reduces it to basic shapes. Consider the color; the amber hue isn't just a visual characteristic, but also perhaps a signifier of value, mimicking the color of old coins. The bank's transparency allows us to see the potential contents, making it a container of both material wealth and symbolic meaning. The inscription “Piggy Bank,” is a clear sign, yet it begs the question – does the object define the word or does the word define the object? Ultimately, this work exists not just as a functional object or a sculpture, but as a cultural artifact, inviting ongoing interpretations about value, transparency, and representation.