Blue and White Headrest with Guardian Lion

c. 1850
$280 USD SOLD
Dimensions
W: 5.25" D: 2.25" H: 4.75"
Materials
Porcelain
Collection #
CMK053
Estimated Shipping
$75

In order to keep her elaborate hairstyle intact while sleeping, a well-to-do Qing-dynasty woman once used this ceramic box as a pillow. Lavishly decorated in the traditional blue-and-white style, the headrest features a guardian lion in pursuit of an embroidered ball, a symbol of love and loyalty. A powerful guardian figure, the lion was intended to protect the woman from evil forces while she slept. Themselves symbols of happiness and longevity, the outstretched wings of two bats frame perforated coin motifs atop the headrest, likely included as a form of ventilation.

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Elizabeth Krueger | Elizabeth Krueger Design

“PAGODA RED was extremely supportive in helping to pull accessory options together for the Lake Forest Showhouse. After providing them with details and our vision on how we were looking to finish our space, Laurene helped curate options that made it easy for us to edit and finalize. It's also no surprise that the unique pieces we used in our showhouse space were some of the first to sell.”

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