Piggy bank

anonymous, c. 1300 - c. 1500

Contrary to popular belief, the piggy bank is not a European invention. Many terracotta piggy banks have been found on Java. Most are in the form of a pig, as the fat animal evoked associations with wealth. The slot for coins is still visible on the back of this example.

  • Artwork typefragment, piggy bank
  • Object numberAK-RAK-1988-18
  • Dimensionsheight 16 cm x width 13 cm x depth 17.3 cm
  • Physical characteristicsterracotta

Identification

  • Title(s)

    Piggy bank

  • Object type

  • Object number

    AK-RAK-1988-18

  • Description

    Voorste gedeelte van een spaarvarken.

Creation

  • Creation

    sculptor: anonymous, Oost-Java

  • Dating

    c. 1300 - c. 1500

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  • School / Style

Material and technique

  • Physical description

    terracotta

  • Dimensions

    height 16 cm x width 13 cm x depth 17.3 cm

This work is about

  • Subject

Acquisition and rights

  • Credit line

    Gift of C. Oorthuys, Baak

  • Acquisition

    gift 1988

  • Copyright

    Public domain

Documentation

  • J. Wisseman Christie, Money and its Uses in the Javanese States of the Ninth to Fifteenth Centuries A.D., uit: Journal of the Economic and Social History of the Orient, 39, 1996, pagina 243-86

Persistent URL

Questions?

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