Pillow
1175-1300 (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
This pillow is an example of Cizhou ware, a type of ceramic made in the northern part of China during the Jin dynasty (1115-1234). The term Cizhou encapsulates a range of wares made in several regions of northern China, often consisting of a stoneware body decorated with a bold design.
Ceramic pillows were an important item in the kilns producing Cizhou wares, and were made for both funerary use and as a neck support for the living. The stoneware body of this piece has taken on the shape of a lion through clever use of moulding and incising techniques, and brightly coloured glazes. Lions were sacred animals to Buddhists, so this pillow would have had a special meaning for its owner.
Ceramic pillows were an important item in the kilns producing Cizhou wares, and were made for both funerary use and as a neck support for the living. The stoneware body of this piece has taken on the shape of a lion through clever use of moulding and incising techniques, and brightly coloured glazes. Lions were sacred animals to Buddhists, so this pillow would have had a special meaning for its owner.
Object details
Category | |
Object type | |
Materials and techniques | Stoneware moulded, incised and glazed |
Brief description | Pillow with crouching lion base, incised and moulded stoneware with coloured glazes, Cizhou ware, China, Jin dynasty, 1175-1250 |
Physical description | Cizhou ware ceramic pillow with crouching lion base, with incised and moulded decoration and coloured glaze. |
Dimensions |
|
Style | |
Subjects depicted | |
Summary | This pillow is an example of Cizhou ware, a type of ceramic made in the northern part of China during the Jin dynasty (1115-1234). The term Cizhou encapsulates a range of wares made in several regions of northern China, often consisting of a stoneware body decorated with a bold design. Ceramic pillows were an important item in the kilns producing Cizhou wares, and were made for both funerary use and as a neck support for the living. The stoneware body of this piece has taken on the shape of a lion through clever use of moulding and incising techniques, and brightly coloured glazes. Lions were sacred animals to Buddhists, so this pillow would have had a special meaning for its owner. |
Bibliographic reference | Kerr, Rose. Song Dynasty Ceramics. London:V&A Publications, 2004. p. 74, no. 73. |
Collection | |
Accession number | CIRC.233-1923 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
Record created | June 20, 2005 |
Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest