Antiques -> Decorative Arts -> Ceramics, Porcelain
Ceramic piggy banks have an interesting history. Why pigs, exactly, and not bank shapes or a tiny safe? Apparently, we use pigs because of language, and a simple mistake. The word “pygg” was an old English word for an orange clay commonly used to make jars, pots, dishes, and almost anything we use ceramic for today. Extra coins in a household were commonly dropped into a jar made from pygg. Language evolved over the next few hundreds years, and in the early 19th century when some English potters were asked to make pygg banks, they made banks shaped like pigs. They were a hit with customers, and the piggy bank was born—or so the most widely believed explanation says.
One other version of the origin of the ceramic piggy bank claims that a young boy in the early 20th century wanted to raise money to help lepers. He sold his pet pig and donated the money from the sale to help leprosy victims. His generosity caused people to call it the Pig Bank Movement, thus staring the name piggy bank. A church in Kansas bears a plaque commemorating the boy and his generosity, and the piggy bank in general.
Who hasn’t had a piggy bank at some point in his or her life? Ceramic piggy banks are popular items today, and are often given to children at birth or as a first birthday gift, as an heirloom and to foster the good habit of saving money for a rainy day. Silver-plated banks are often engraved with the child’s name and date of birth or some other milestone date when given as gifts. And often tradition has the gift-giver putting the first coin into the bank before giving it as a seed for future wealth.
The value of collectible ceramic piggy banks hinges on a number of things like the age, the condition, and the significance of the design or the bank itself (did it belong so someone noteworthy, or was it created by someone famous, for instance.) What kind of piggy bank you purchases depends on whether or not you’re interested in it as a collectible, or if it’s simply because you love the design.
Vintage ceramic piggy banks can be called vintage simply because they’re not in a currently popular style. Be sure it’s not just labeled as vintage, but collectible as well, if you’re looking for an investment piece to add value to your collection. The uniqueness of the bank, and the quality and condition all figure into the price and the value.
Very old ceramic piggy banks will often have cracks, chips or crackling. If you can find a very old bank intact, you’ve probably found a nice collector piece. Just be sure to ask the seller, whether online or in person, if repairs have been made, if any chips have been glued, or if any type of re-glazing has been done to the bank. You’ll want one as close to its original condition as possible.
Photo Credits: 23dingenvoormusea
Originally posted 2008-10-29 14:00:07. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
Related Posts -
Antique Bird Cages Dealers -> Antiques -> Decorative-Arts Years ago, before the introduction of plastics and resins, even animals’ indoor homes like antique bird cages were considered beautiful pieces of furniture. Of course, some were plain and utilitarian, but many more were actually created in the popular furniture styles of the times. Bird...... -
Antique Mirrors Antiques -> Decorative Arts -> Mirrors Antique mirrors are a highly collectible item, with many of the frames boasting decorative carving and detail much like elaborate, wooden picture frames of old. A mirror itself is little more than glass covering a reflective surface and not very impressive—many of us carry...... -
Tiffany Lamps Antiques -> Decorative Arts Tiffany lamps offer collectors a chance not only to find something valuable but also a collector’s piece that is functional and beautiful. If you are looking for a piece that will enhance your home as well as your bottom line, then this is definitely a collectible...... -
Gothic Art Antiques -> Decorative-Arts Gothic art refers to any art, whether it’s a painting, a sculpture, or some other medium, created from about the mid-12th century through the end of the 14th century. Art was still created over the next century that’s often called International Gothic, but this type of art...... -
Antique Books Antiques -> Books and Manuscripts -> American If you are interested in finding a collectible that has a true story to tell, antique books are the ideal choice. These offer the ability to collect something that has value, not only in the actual worth of the item, but in the......
Related Websites -
Why Certificates of Deposit Are A Good Idea Today's article is written by guest blogger Jim of Bargaineering. If you've saved up a few dollars and aren't sure if you should put them in the stock market or stick them in your mattress, let me give you another suggestion: put your funds into a certificate of deposit (CD)....... -
Harry Allen Design: Off with a Bang Harry Allen Design was honored by the Fifi Awards on May 25, 2011. The FiFi awards have honored excellence in the fragrance industry since 1973. Sponsored by The Fragrance Foundation, the FiFi awards are like the Oscars in the categories of cologne and perfume. An awards show specifically for the...... -
Chinese Paper Money Coins and Paper Money -> Paper Money - World -> China The Chinese actually invented paper money, and the process of making it dates back to the early 9th century. Collectors are always seeking Chinese paper money due to its rich history and value, and this is a currency that...... -
5 Things to Look For When Picking a High Interest Bank If you're interested in leveraging your credit in a safer environment, credit card arbitrage is one of the best ways. In order to succeed, you need to make more interest than your low interest balance transfer offer and for that you need to invest your money in a high interest...... -
Tapestries Collectibles -> Linens, Fabric & Textiles -> Tapestries Tapestries are more than just beautiful wall hangings, they're woven art that served to tell stories in ancient times. The Odyssey and the Iliad were both “told” in woven form as large, rich tapestries. Every period in history has had major events......
- Baby Cherished Teddies Enesco Decorative Collectible Brands Decorative Collectibles Collectibles
- Design Ponds Water Features Garden Dcor Yard, Garden & Outdoor Living Nursery
- Avon Decorative Collectible Brands Decorative Collectibles Collectibles
- Mechanical Banks Banks, Registers & Vending Collectibles
- Trinket Boxes Limoges Decorative Collectible Brands Decorative Collectibles Collectibles
