Pig still bank c. 20th century

This small pig still bank lives at the Minneapolis Institute of Art, but we don't know who made it or when. What I like about this piece is that its anonymity invites us to imagine the hands that shaped and painted it. I imagine the creator, maybe a child or an amateur ceramicist, carefully molding the clay, smoothing the surface, and then glazing it in that lustrous, dark color that almost looks black. The little red ears and snout, plus that off-white eye – they’re so charmingly imperfect, right? You can see each gesture, each decision, each moment of hesitation or spontaneity. It's a reminder that art doesn't have to be grand or flashy to be meaningful. It can be humble, quirky, and deeply personal, reflecting the unique vision and sensibility of its maker. The form of the pig is so ancient, right? We see them everywhere and yet this version has something unique. I like to think this little piggy is in conversation with all the other little piggies out there.