Antique Early 19th Century Chinese Cizhou Stoneware Ceramic Cat

Description

Here, kitty kitty. Talk about a conversation piece . . . we are loving this Cizhou-type antique, Chinese stoneware pillow … more Here, kitty kitty. Talk about a conversation piece . . . we are loving this Cizhou-type antique, Chinese stoneware pillow decorated in unique cat form circa 19th century, Qing Dynasty. To keep her elaborate hairstyle intact while sleeping, a well-to-do Qing-dynasty woman once used this ceramic headrest as a pillow.

The headrest is shaped as a crouching house cat, with whiskers and fur playfully painted in with black, brown, and crème glaze, reminiscent of cizhou ware. Credited with a power to protect against evil spirits, perhaps for its ability to see in the dark, the cat is the ideal guardian for a headrest pillow, protecting its owner while she dreams. less