Red Lacquer Hide Pillow

This extraordinary Chinese headrest from the late Qing dynasty is hand-crafted of lacquered hide atop an elongated bamboo frame. Used while sleeping like a modern pillow, the headrest has a pliable design that enabled contour comfort - quite luxurious for the time.

Brushed atop an under layer of black lacquer, the bright cinnabar red lacquer finish has worn gently from years of use for an inimitable weathered texture and fantastic patina. One end of the headrest is finished with black lacquer and faded traces of the original painted gilt decoration. The hide cover on the opposite end has been lost to time, revealing the headrest's interior bamboo frame. Elevated by a custom steel mount, this rare headrest becomes a storied work of sculpture.

Some splits along the hide seams.