Minneapolis Institute of Art

Pillow

China

Date

12th century

Medium

Cizhou ware Stoneware with carved décor under green glaze

Department

Asian Art

Institution

Minneapolis Institute of Art

Green lead-glazed ware is one of at least nineteen categories of Cizhou ceramics. Pillows represent the largest subgroup of the green-glazed technique. The bean shaped headrest is freely carved in the center with a ribbon-tied spray of lotus and sagittarius blossoms against a dense ground of scrolling vine motif. A great many ceramic pillows were produced at the Cizhou kilns in southern Hebei province between the tenth and fourteenth centuries. At first considered items made only for burial, it is now confirmed that ceramic pillows were used domestically and inscriptions mention their use as gifts for newly-married couples and as congratulatory objects. China, Asia

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