-Ann Rue (birth bank)- still bank c. 1888

This still bank, titled “Ann Rue (birth bank),” was made in 1888 by an anonymous artist. The earthy tones of the glazed ceramic invite a tactile experience, while the symmetrical design lends a sense of formal balance. Note how the anonymous maker juxtaposes the smooth, curving surfaces of the jar with the textured details of the applied ropes and the geometric precision of the coin slot. This interplay of form and texture challenges the traditional role of the humble piggy bank. Here, we might consider the bank as a site of cultural encoding. The vessel, in its structural simplicity and functional design, embodies a semiotic system that promotes the values of thrift and delayed gratification. The use of ceramic as a material further ties into the cultural associations of craftsmanship and permanence, suggesting the enduring value of saving. Consider how the artist uses familiar objects to create and challenge our understanding of value.