Jug still bank c. early to mid 20th century

Curator: Welcome to the American Wing. We’re standing before an intriguing piece titled "Jug still bank" that likely dates from the early to mid-20th century. It’s an earthenware ceramic, attributed to an anonymous maker. Editor: Well, the most striking feature, for me at least, is that singular deep blue splash of paint. It lends the otherwise muted surface a focal point that begs to be interpreted. Curator: Indeed, the applied cobalt slip creates two stylized shapes – almost mirror images of one another. The composition favors a rounded, almost homely form with simple, almost naive execution. What could this evocative abstraction mean? Editor: It reads as two bird like shapes to me - birds in flight perhaps, which are so frequently linked with the concept of the soul’s journey or ascension. The object would have become the safe place of savings; of hopeful monetary gains, to fund a move "upwards". Curator: Interesting. From a formal standpoint, notice how the potter allowed the slip to drip slightly beneath these forms, creating a visual link to the vessel's pale surface. It’s an understated, yet significant act, acknowledging and utilizing the material's inherent qualities. The lines are the only element in the form to not appear rounded which seems so unexpected within this otherwise gentle creation. Editor: But those dripping shapes also feel emotionally charged! Cobalt, in older cultural symbolism, is associated with the night, intuition, and emotional depth. So here the artist has not just rendered abstract shapes; it might be they are channeling this object as a guardian for secrets and unexpressed dreams. The vessel shape reminds me strongly of ‘Mother Earth’ goddess icons. Curator: It’s true; the rounded belly and narrower neck definitely give it an almost human presence. This connection would certainly add depth. As an anonymous piece, its meaning can stay delightfully enigmatic! Editor: Precisely! This little bank encapsulates so many layers of meaning. Next time you’re saving, give yourself a moment and ponder the cultural significance in something that may feel seemingly mundane.