-Seated Pig- still bank c. 20th century

This adorable bronze still bank pig was made by an anonymous artist, a piggy bank to be treasured for sure! I’m imagining the artist working with the bronze, coaxing it into shape, maybe using the lost-wax casting method, where the pig is first modeled in wax, then coated in clay, then melted to leave a perfect mold for the metal. The surface has been expertly worked, with subtle variations in texture and light that bring the pig to life. You can see the marks of the maker’s hand, the slight imperfections that give the pig its character. It’s like the artist is having a conversation with us, sharing a little piece of their world, and what it was like to make, even though we don't know them. I also think of other artists making multiples, like Warhol, thinking about commerce, money, and value. In the end, art is all about exchange, isn't it?