"Broken Dreams" 19th Century Chinese Blue and White Porcelain Neck Pillow

Calligraphic sweeps of blue bring this 19th-century footed plate to life, brushed atop a blue-grey glaze that cloaks its simple ceramic form. Once used as an everyday serving dish, t...

In order to keep her elaborate hairstyle intact while sleeping, a well-to-do Qing-dynasty woman once used this ceramic box as a pillow. Lavishly decorated in the traditional blue-and...

This square ceramic block is actually a form of Chinese headrest or neck pillow. Popular during the Qing dynasty, rigid headrests such as this were used by upper-class women to prote...

This small ceramic block is actually a form of Chinese headrest or neck pillow. Popular during the Qing dynasty, rigid headrests such as this were used by upper-class women to protec...

This small ceramic block is actually a form of Chinese headrest or neck pillow. Popular during the Qing dynasty, rigid headrests such as this were used by upper-class women to protect their elaborate hairstyles by elevating the head during slumber. This example dates to the mid-20th century and is glazed in the blue-and-white style with dark, cobalt-blue color. Each side of the headrest has a quadrilobe cartouche framing two mythical fu lions playing with a brocade ball, a motif that evokes the idiom "may you and your descendant achieve high rank." A powerful and benevolent guardian, the fu lion (shizi) is the perfect force to protect against nightmares and bad energy. The playful scene is surrounded by a cracked ice pattern dotted with plum blossoms, symbols of winter and longevity. A geometric meander trims the corners and small bats frame coin...

A delicate example of the time-honored practice of blue-and-white ceramics, this 19th century porcelain soup spoon was likely used as an everyday ...

A 19th century Chinese blue and white porcelain candle stand.

A fine pair of large 19th century Chinese Export models of cockerels, decorated in blanc de chine with red highlights. Each modelled standing on pierced rockwork with head turned to ...

Old Decorative Chinese Hand Painted Blue & White Porcelain Vase. Circa 1850.

A fine pair of late 18th early 19th century Chinese Export porcelain models of cockerels, each standing on coloured rockwork base, the bodies with a pale celadon glaze and fine feathering...

Pair of large early 19th century Chinese blue and white porcelain cap jars. The jars retaining the original lids with guardian lions. Landscape motif decorations of good detail compl...

An absolutely wonderful assembled group of Chinese Blanc de Chine white glazed porcelain Buddhistic lion (foo lion, foo dog) joss stick holders, Qing...