-Jack-o-Lantern- still bank c. 20th century

This -Jack-o-Lantern- still bank was made anonymously at an unknown time, but I get the feeling it's fairly old. I love the way it catches the light. Look at how the glaze pools in those little grooves around the eyes and mouth! The amber colour gives it a warm, cheerful vibe, like a well-loved teddy bear. You can see the hand of the maker here. The slightly uneven surface and the way the glaze drips and thickens in certain spots tells a story of process and material. It's like the object is breathing, showing its age and history. The whole thing has a kind of wonky charm. It reminds me a bit of some of the ceramic sculptures by Joan Miró - simple, bold forms with a playful spirit, full of colour and texture, but made with a focus on form and material over representation. Anyway, it's a reminder that art doesn't always need to be serious or perfect; sometimes it's the quirks and imperfections that make it special.