Sancai Peony Headrest

c. 1900
$1,480 USD
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Dimensions
W: 8.0" D: 7.0" H: 5.0"
Materials
Ceramic
Purchase Quantity
Collection #
BJGG003
Estimated Shipping
$150

To keep her elaborate hairstyle intact while sleeping, a well-to-do Qing-dynasty woman once used this ceramic headrest as a pillow. Its unusual form is densely patterned with abstract trailing vines, fronds, and blossoms. The headrest is topped with a scene of three delicate peonies, emblems of love and symbols of feminine beauty. Drawing on Tang-dynasty sancai, or three color ware, the Qing-dynasty headrest is coated in green, amber, and cream glazes that flow and mix over its sculptural form. A century of age and use has given the headrest's rich glazed finish a fantastic crazed texture that calls to be touched.

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Headrests

Headrests and neck pillows have been used since ancient times to keep the head elevated while sleeping and hold the body in a comfortable position. Whether functional or purely decorative, such headrests were crafted from a variety of materials and were often decorated with elaborate patterns or symbolic motifs.

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Elizabeth Krueger | Elizabeth Krueger Design

“PAGODA RED was extremely supportive in helping to pull accessory options together for the Lake Forest Showhouse. After providing them with details and our vision on how we were looking to finish our space, Laurene helped curate options that made it easy for us to edit and finalize. It's also no surprise that the unique pieces we used in our showhouse space were some of the first to sell.”

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