A Cizhou Carved Bean-Shaped Pillow

SONG DYNASTY, 11TH-12TH CENTURY

Details

A Cizhou Carved Bean-Shaped Pillow
Song dynasty, 11th-12th century
The dished top fluidly carved with a foliate spray bearing two three-petalled blossoms, reserved against a combed ground within a triple-line border of quatrefoil outline, the back molded with a pattern of squared spirals, covered with a creamy glaze of slightly yellowish tone, the unglazed base pierced with a vent hole
10 1/4in. (26cm.) long
Falk Collection no. 156.

Lot Essay

The fluid style of carving and lotus spray design on this pillow suggests the influence of Ding wares.

Compare the variously decorated Cizhou pillows of this form illustrated in Chinese Ceramics Pillows: The Mr. and Mrs. Yeung Wing Tak Gift, Hong Kong, 1993, pls. 72, 73 and 74.

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