-Decker's Iowana- still bank c. early 20th century

This little still bank, shaped like a pig, stamped with 'Decker's Iowana', is made from cast iron. I love how the anonymous maker embraces the material. It's got this mottled, rusty quality. You can tell it's been around the block, maybe held a few pennies. It's so simple, yet the surface is a map of time, like layers of sediment. Look at the way the light catches on its snout, those little imperfections in the iron, and how the word 'Iowana' is almost worn away. I'm reminded of the sculptor Isa Genzken, who uses found materials in her work, allowing the marks of time and use to become part of the piece. This piece is like a tiny monument to everyday life, the anonymous maker, Decker's Iowana, and even the little bits of money it once held. It makes you think about all the stories objects can tell, if we just take the time to look and listen.