Pillow
mid 11th century (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 Song dynasty (960-1279). Cizhou ware is not easily defined, but this pillow is characteristic due to it stoneware body and incised and carved decoration. As unusual as it might seem, ceramic pillows were not just used for burial, but also in life, as a neck support. The imagery on this pillow is set against a ring-punched background, creating a densely decorated surface imitating the more costly metalwork of the time. The deer are a symbol of reward for official service while the branch they hold in their mouths is perhaps from the plant of long life.
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Stoneware, carved |
| Brief description | Pillow, carved stoneware with white slip, Cizhou ware, China, Northern Song dynasty, mid-11th century |
| Physical description | Cizhou ware pillow decorated with incised deer and floral motifs and a ring punched background. |
| Dimensions |
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| Styles | |
| Credit line | Given by Monsieur Charles Vignier |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | This pillow is an example of Cizhou ware, a type of ceramic made in the northern part of China during the Song dynasty (960-1279). Cizhou ware is not easily defined, but this pillow is characteristic due to it stoneware body and incised and carved decoration. As unusual as it might seem, ceramic pillows were not just used for burial, but also in life, as a neck support. The imagery on this pillow is set against a ring-punched background, creating a densely decorated surface imitating the more costly metalwork of the time. The deer are a symbol of reward for official service while the branch they hold in their mouths is perhaps from the plant of long life. |
| Bibliographic references |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | C.425-1923 |
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| Record created | June 1, 2005 |
| Record URL |
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