Blue and White Lotus Headrest

c. 1900
$480 USD SOLD
Dimensions
W: 6.0" D: 4.0" H: 5.75"
Materials
Porcelain
Collection #
CESB021
Estimated Shipping
$20

To keep her elaborate hairstyle intact while sleeping, a well-to-do Qing-dynasty woman would use a rigid headrest or neck pillow to keep her head elevated. Whether functional or purely decorative, such headrests were crafted from a variety of materials and were often decorated with elaborate patterns or symbolic motifs.

This porcelain headrest is glazed in the blue-and-white style and shaped in the form of two children lying beneath a large lotus leaf. The boy and girl lay on their sides with heads resting on pillows of their own, the girl holding a lotus bud and the boy holding a lotus seed pod. This combination of motifs can be interpreted as a wish for many distinguished children. The lotus leaf top is curved to contour to the neck and etched with twin dragons soaring through clouds towards a flaming pearl. The base of the headrest is in the form of a footed rectangular platform, decorated in low relief with dragons and interlocking coins.

Additional Dimensions:
Lotus Leaf Top: 6"W x 4.5"D

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Headrests

Headrests and neck pillows have been used since ancient times to keep the head elevated while sleeping and hold the body in a comfortable position. Whether functional or purely decorative, such headrests were crafted from a variety of materials and were often decorated with elaborate patterns or symbolic motifs.

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Andrea Goldman | Andrea Goldman Design

“Over the years, I’ve incorporated many pieces from PAGODA RED into my designs. Not only can they balance new furnishings (and often new construction) by feeling more established, but the pieces emanate a sense of rich history, often leaving you wondering where they were in a previous life. These beautiful pieces carefully hand-selected by the team at PAGODA RED, coupled with their unbelievable customer service, make them a must-have for any home.”

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