Blue and White Headrest with Guardian Lion

c. 1850

$280

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Dimensions

W: 5.25" D: 2.25" H: 4.75"

Materials

Porcelain

Purchase Quantity

Collection #

CMK052

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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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.

Blue & White Porcelain

Soon after its development in the Yuan dynasty (1271–1368 AD), blue-and-white underglaze porcelain became a favorite of the imperial court. Its broad appeal rapidly extended beyond China’s borders, becoming a lucrative export commodity highly sought after in Europe, the Middle East, and beyond.

Using cobalt imported from Western Asia, ceramic artists ground the mineral into a vibrant blue pigment that was then painted directly on a porcelain base, coated with clear glaze, and fired. This underglaze technique brought with it a shift in focus from the overall shape of a vessel to the skill and artistry traceable in its painted decoration.

Transcending time and taste, blue-and-white porcelain continues to be appreciated around the world for the intricate brushwork and brilliant blue color.