Seated man with pitcher still bank c. 19th century

This anonymous still bank of a seated man with a pitcher is a testament to the cultural narratives embedded in everyday objects. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, still banks like this one became popular as household items, often reflecting and shaping societal values. This particular bank presents a figure with simplified features, embodying a working-class man. The choice to depict a man seated and clutching a pitcher invites us to consider the role of labor and leisure in shaping identity. The fact that it is anonymous underscores the complex interplay between individual expression and collective identity. These banks were often designed with a slit for coins, turning them into tools that encouraged thriftiness. What does it mean to transform a figure into a vessel, both for savings and cultural ideals?