Late 19th Century Chinese Porcelain Headrest From the Qing Dynasty Decorated in the Wucai Palette

Description

In China, they believed that soft substances stole energy and vitality from the body and were bad for blood circulation; … more In China, they believed that soft substances stole energy and vitality from the body and were bad for blood circulation; not to mention being ineffective at driving away demons. The Chinese used a variety of materials to make their headrests for sleeping: bamboo, jade, porcelain, ceramic, wood, and bronze. Ultimately, porcelain became the most popular and widely used material. These were all so highly decorated that some people mistake them for family heirlooms. Depictions and engravings of animals, plants, humans, mountains, water and even geometric shapes adorned the pillows.

This exquisite porcelain head pillow has a dragon and Phoenix on top with plums, flowers, and lots of geometric shapes along with two Chinese boys hiding underneath with their heads on porcelain pillows. less