Java Piggy Bank
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Antique 15th Century and Earlier Indonesian Other Ceramics
Terracotta
Finding the Right Ceramics for You
With their rich and diverse history, antique, new and vintage Asian ceramics offer colorful and sophisticated ways to add flair to any space.
Japanese pottery dates back at least 13,000 years to the Jōmon period. Pieces from the Late Jōmon era display a rope-cord pattern encircling a pot or jug. During the Muromachi period, potters created simple bowls and utensils frequently used in tea ceremonies and were made as both functional and aesthetic objects.
Ceramics made during Japan’s Meiji period, from 1868 to 1912, reflected an explosion of artistic expression propelled by new access to international trade. Details became more intricate and refined, and colors were enhanced with new glazing practices.
Chinese porcelain, meanwhile, is often identified by its shape. Each reign and dynasty had specific shapes and styles that were encouraged by the imperial ruler. During the Song dynasty, for instance, there were four dominant types of ceramic vase shapes: plum-shaped, pear-shaped, cong-shaped (tall and square) and double-gourd.
Chinese ceramics that were made during the Qing dynasty were demonstrative of an expanded artistic expression, with more delicate shapes and a focus on intricate detailing. The shapes of ceramics from this era are thinner, taller and have subtle features like a gentle flare, such as on the mallet-shaped vase.
Later, the 17th- and 18th-century interior design trend of chinoiserie brought Asian paintings and screens, textiles and other art and furniture from the continent into many European homes.
Explore an extensive range of antique, new and vintage Asian ceramics on 1stDibs to find the perfect piece for your home.
- 1stDibs ExpertMay 5, 2023A piggy bank is called a piggy bank due to its history. During the Middle Ages, people often kept money in pots made out of an orange clay called pygg. Due to the name of the clay, these pots were known as pygg pots. During the 19th century, clever potters began to design money banks in pig shapes as a play on the word “pygg.” After pig-shaped coin banks became popular, the term piggy bank expanded to include any coin bank with a whimsical shape or decorative details. On 1stDibs, shop a selection of coin banks.
- What does piggy bank mean?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMarch 31, 2023The term piggy bank usually means a coin bank in the shape of a pig. However, some people will refer to any coin bank with a decorative shape as a piggy bank. On 1stDibs, shop a selection of piggy banks.