-Pig in High Chair- mechanical bank c. 1897

Editor: Here we have -Pig in High Chair- mechanical bank, made around 1897, and residing here at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. It's made of metal, possibly bronze. It looks a bit whimsical and also sort of sinister with its gaping mouth. How would you interpret this piece? Curator: It’s fascinating how these objects reflect not just artistic trends, but also societal values. In the late 19th century, the rise of industrial manufacturing led to a surge in decorative arts and novelties, didn’t it? Mass production made these playful items accessible to a growing middle class, eager to display their affluence and participate in consumer culture. What do you think the choice of a pig signifies here? Editor: Maybe the artist wanted to highlight the cultural association between pigs, money and prosperity? The fact that this is a 'mechanical' bank, I suppose, places importance on the function too, not only aesthetics. Curator: Exactly! Consider the late 19th century—a period of vast economic expansion alongside stark class divisions. These mechanical banks were designed to encourage thrift, yet they also embody a complex tension between consumerism and moral instruction. The performative act of saving—the pig 'eating' the coin—turns financial responsibility into a spectacle. Editor: That’s such a cynical but clever point about the spectacle. I never thought about the moral dimensions embedded in something that looks so lighthearted. Curator: Museums themselves play a role here. By displaying this object, we're not only preserving a piece of history but also presenting it for a contemporary audience to reconsider its original context. What might a museum visitor today make of this unusual item? Editor: It makes you think about our relationship with money and saving habits today. A seemingly simple coin bank then becomes a lens through which to understand historical attitudes towards labor, value and, cultural values! Thanks! Curator: Precisely. The playful imagery underscores deep cultural preoccupations, reminding us of the stories embedded in everyday objects. Thank you!