-Log Cabin- still bank c. 19th century

Curator: The earthy tones are immediately appealing. It exudes a rustic charm, almost…primitive in its rendering. Editor: Indeed. Here we have what’s titled '-Log Cabin- still bank' originating from the 19th century, made by an anonymous artist using ceramic earthenware. It resides here at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. Curator: Still bank – a fascinating utilitarian object rendered in clay! Its form closely mimics the structure of an actual log cabin with attention dedicated to horizontal lines. Editor: Absolutely, and beyond being merely representational, consider its placement within 19th-century American culture. These still banks were tools encouraging thriftiness during industrialization and the shift towards a wage-earning economy. These objects instilled the virtues of saving even in children. Curator: An excellent point, this object speaks volumes of not just craftsmanship but a particular moment and ideology. If we examine the dark brown glazing—what formal qualities emerge? The uneven, dappled appearance evokes natural textures... the bark on trees... the unpredictable beauty of the wilderness itself. This echoes ideas tied to expansion, frontier life, and the American ideal of manifest destiny. Editor: The 'Log Cabin' bank operated not just on personal ideals but through promoting a national narrative steeped in values, a nation's dream materially captured and promoted for each individual through savings. The history of capitalism intertwined with sentimental representations! Curator: Exactly. And thinking beyond just cultural ideology, it stands as an intriguing ceramic piece in its own right. It's clear how the artist consciously simplified and amplified elements, creating both functional use and aesthetic significance. Editor: Considering the narrative, materiality, it showcases the intimate tie of ordinary objects to greater currents of life – finance, hope, nationhood. Curator: A potent convergence of technique and culture contained within a modest vessel, inviting introspection.