Pillow
Pillow
12th century (made)
12th century (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This octagonal ceramic pillow is an example of Cizhou ware. Cizhou is a term used to describe a variety of ceramics made in northern China during the Song dynasty (960-1279). Contrary to the imperial wares of the time, which were prized for their perfection of form and glaze, Cizhou wares were made for everyday use and so were more free-spirited in form and design.
This pillow is typical of Cizhou ware in its bold surface decoration over a stoneware body. To achieve its effect, a cream slip (a thinned firing clay) was first applied over the body. The lines of the peony were then carved out, revealing the buff colour of the body as the background to this striking design.
This pillow is typical of Cizhou ware in its bold surface decoration over a stoneware body. To achieve its effect, a cream slip (a thinned firing clay) was first applied over the body. The lines of the peony were then carved out, revealing the buff colour of the body as the background to this striking design.
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Pillow |
| Materials and techniques | Stoneware |
| Brief description | Pillow, stoneware with carved slip decoration, Cizhou ware, China, Song-Jin dynasty, 12th century |
| Physical description | Octagonal cizhou ware pillow, soneware with carved lotus design and white slip under a transparent glaze. |
| Dimensions |
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| Styles | |
| Credit line | Given by Mr. O. Marriage |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | This octagonal ceramic pillow is an example of Cizhou ware. Cizhou is a term used to describe a variety of ceramics made in northern China during the Song dynasty (960-1279). Contrary to the imperial wares of the time, which were prized for their perfection of form and glaze, Cizhou wares were made for everyday use and so were more free-spirited in form and design. This pillow is typical of Cizhou ware in its bold surface decoration over a stoneware body. To achieve its effect, a cream slip (a thinned firing clay) was first applied over the body. The lines of the peony were then carved out, revealing the buff colour of the body as the background to this striking design. |
| Bibliographic reference | Kerr, Rose. Song Dynasty Ceramics. London: V&A Publications, 2004.
p. 70, no. 68 |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | C.458-1920 |
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| Record created | June 10, 2005 |
| Record URL |
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