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More about: Piggy banks from Java

Two of these piggy banks are Majapahit terra cotta from Trowulan, East Java, Indonesia. Five of these piggy banks, from my own collection, are possible Majapahit. I am not sure of that. Trowulan is surrounded by an archaeological site of the capital city of the Majapahit Empire from the 14th to the 15th century. Older research at Trowulan has concentrated on monumental remains: temples, tombs, and a bathing place. Archaeological surveys and excavations have recently found evidence of dense population during the 14th to 15th centuries. Terracotta figurines, amongst them piggy banks, representing many subjects: gods, humans, animals, buildings, and scenes were produced in large quantities. Their function is unknown; they may have served multiple purposes. Some may have been used in religious shrines attached to dwellings, as in modern Bali.

The Majapahit piggy banks were used to save coins in. Because of the fact they were found in holy places is it obvious to believe that they were also used as an offering. Until 1300 there was golden Majapahit currency. From that time on bronze Chinese coins were used. These were found during excavations in large numbers (also in piggy banks!). Why do I doubt about the provenance of my Javanese piggy banks? I am convinced that they were and are copied. It is no coincidence that my piggy (second row, middle) is like the one in our Rijksmuseum?

At Bali (Indonesia) potters make nice piggy banks. There inspiration possibly comes from the Trowulan excavations, but that I cannot prove. In my collection there are 2. One (left row above) puzzles me. Maybe it is 50 years old, but not older. The other one is brand new.

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Old fashioned piggy banks

Saving piggy banks is saving your heritage

These piggy banks have a length of 16 to 23 cm. On the right (above second row) a Majapahit example in the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. In the top row on the left a restored 14th century example of a finding in the excavations in Trowulan (National Museum of Indonesia, Jakarta)

Piggy bank from Bali
21 cm long, 18 cm high.  Max. 50 years old. Notice the “mud” spots! Real or fake? I don’t know.

New from Bali
17 cm long, 12 cm high.  Brand new. Good craftsmanship. You can buy it at www.surhia.be.