Jug still bank c. 1880

Editor: Here we have the "Jug still bank," a ceramic folk art piece made around 1880. It's quaint, and I'm drawn to how… sturdy it looks. Like it was built to last! The color is lovely as well. I would describe it as a muted rustic brick red, which works very well with the piece being what looks like a home-made vessel. What story do you think it tells? Curator: Well, doesn’t it just shout out "homemade practicality meets a playful urge to save"? I picture a family carefully crafting this stoneware jug, then firing it up with such a bold color, right in their backyard kiln, maybe while a hound dog naps nearby. Then they had a genius moment—cutting a coin slot! It's simple but profound, linking resourcefulness with the slow build of security. Did this bank hold dreams or just pennies, I wonder? It certainly feels warm and inviting. Like coming home. Don’t you agree? Editor: Definitely. I didn’t think of the backyard kiln… the kind of grit that this artwork embodies. This is miles away from an industrial-style product of that same era, say, from the Wedgwood factory. It's more personal and feels more deeply connected with the makers. Curator: Exactly! It bypasses cold perfection. It’s flawed, beautifully imperfect. It’s full of a tactile soulfulness. Did you also notice that rustic charm it exudes, blending into a seamless and utilitarian stoneware shape? This also evokes themes of self-sufficiency and folksy ingenuity from the time, making it such an amazing little bank with an incredible personality. Editor: It's remarkable how a seemingly simple object like this bank can hold so much historical and emotional resonance. I would like to learn more! Thank you! Curator: Indeed! It’s always a thrill peeling back layers to reveal a heart brimming with human stories and echoes. These humble relics help us hear what still needs hearing.