Money Box
1500-1600 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Object Type
Earthenware money boxes, like this one, were formed in the cheapest and quickest way: as small pots thrown on the potter's wheel and closed at the top, sometimes with a small finial (decorative knob). The slot was simply cut with a knife.
Ownership & Use
No pottery money box that has survived intact can have been used for its original purpose. The tiny slot (designed for thin, stamped, low-denomination copper coins such as pennies, halfpennies and farthings) would not allow coins to be extracted without breaking the pot open. In the 16th and 17th centuries these humble objects were probably owned by some of the poorest members of society. By the 19th century, however, country potteries were making elaborate money boxes of slipware (wares of coarse red clay decorated with a white liquid clay known as slip). These were often decorated with modelled birds and sometimes had several superimposed compartments. They were probably intended as presents for children. As with so many types of object in the Victorian period, tin plate and cast iron largely took over the role of pottery.
Earthenware money boxes, like this one, were formed in the cheapest and quickest way: as small pots thrown on the potter's wheel and closed at the top, sometimes with a small finial (decorative knob). The slot was simply cut with a knife.
Ownership & Use
No pottery money box that has survived intact can have been used for its original purpose. The tiny slot (designed for thin, stamped, low-denomination copper coins such as pennies, halfpennies and farthings) would not allow coins to be extracted without breaking the pot open. In the 16th and 17th centuries these humble objects were probably owned by some of the poorest members of society. By the 19th century, however, country potteries were making elaborate money boxes of slipware (wares of coarse red clay decorated with a white liquid clay known as slip). These were often decorated with modelled birds and sometimes had several superimposed compartments. They were probably intended as presents for children. As with so many types of object in the Victorian period, tin plate and cast iron largely took over the role of pottery.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Earthenware, partially lead-glazed |
| Brief description | Lead-glazed earthenware money box, Surrey-Hampshire border ('Border Ware'), early 16th Century . |
| Physical description | Lead-glazed earthenware jug. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Gallery label | British Galleries:
BORDERWARE' CANDLESTICK AND MONEY BOX This candlestick and money box are typical of English pottery, which was practical and less decorative than pottery imported from France, Germany and The Netherlands. The type takes its name from the area where it was made, on the borders of Hampshire and Surrey. Rich deposits of white clay were found there. Few money boxes survive because they had to be broken to get the money out. The candlestick is decorated with the badge of the legal institution for which it was made.(27/03/2003) |
| Credit line | Given by Sir T. W. Holbourne |
| Summary | Object Type Earthenware money boxes, like this one, were formed in the cheapest and quickest way: as small pots thrown on the potter's wheel and closed at the top, sometimes with a small finial (decorative knob). The slot was simply cut with a knife. Ownership & Use No pottery money box that has survived intact can have been used for its original purpose. The tiny slot (designed for thin, stamped, low-denomination copper coins such as pennies, halfpennies and farthings) would not allow coins to be extracted without breaking the pot open. In the 16th and 17th centuries these humble objects were probably owned by some of the poorest members of society. By the 19th century, however, country potteries were making elaborate money boxes of slipware (wares of coarse red clay decorated with a white liquid clay known as slip). These were often decorated with modelled birds and sometimes had several superimposed compartments. They were probably intended as presents for children. As with so many types of object in the Victorian period, tin plate and cast iron largely took over the role of pottery. |
| Bibliographic reference | Hildyard, Robin. European Ceramics. London : V&A Publications, 1999. 144 p., ill. ISBN 185177260X |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 2028-1901 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
| Record created | November 15, 2002 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest
