Items Similar to Chinese Blue and White Headrest with Guardian Lion, c. 1850
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 7
Chinese Blue and White Headrest with Guardian Lion, c. 1850
$280
£212.46
€242.93
CA$391.08
A$434.83
CHF 227.05
MX$5,292.97
NOK 2,897
SEK 2,714.35
DKK 1,813
Shipping
Retrieving quote...The 1stDibs Promise:
Authenticity Guarantee,
Money-Back Guarantee,
24-Hour Cancellation
About the Item
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-white style, the headrest features a guardian lion in pursuit of an embroidered ball, a symbol of love and loyalty. A powerful guardian figure, the lion was intended to protect the woman from evil forces while she slept. Themselves symbols of happiness and longevity, the outstretched wings of two bats frame perforated coin motifs atop the headrest, likely included as a form of ventilation.
- Dimensions:Height: 4.75 in (12.07 cm)Width: 5.25 in (13.34 cm)Depth: 2.25 in (5.72 cm)
- Style:Qing (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:Porcelain,Glazed
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1850
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Chicago, IL
- Reference Number:Seller: CMK0521stDibs: LU820018551352
About the Seller
5.0
Platinum Seller
Premium sellers with a 4.7+ rating and 24-hour response times
Established in 1997
1stDibs seller since 2006
1,695 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: 1 hour
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Shipping from: Chicago, IL
- Return Policy
Authenticity Guarantee
In the unlikely event there’s an issue with an item’s authenticity, contact us within 1 year for a full refund. DetailsMoney-Back Guarantee
If your item is not as described, is damaged in transit, or does not arrive, contact us within 7 days for a full refund. Details24-Hour Cancellation
You have a 24-hour grace period in which to reconsider your purchase, with no questions asked.Vetted Professional Sellers
Our world-class sellers must adhere to strict standards for service and quality, maintaining the integrity of our listings.Price-Match Guarantee
If you find that a seller listed the same item for a lower price elsewhere, we’ll match it.Trusted Global Delivery
Our best-in-class carrier network provides specialized shipping options worldwide, including custom delivery.More From This Seller
View AllChinese Blue and White Fu Lion Headrest, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
This large 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 early 20th century and is glazed in the blue-and-white style with rich, cobalt-blue color.
The headrest is decorated on all sides with mythical fu lion dogs playing with ribbon-tied brocade balls, 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. A geometric meander trims the corners and small dragon-like bats frame coin...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Ceramics
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Blue and White Fu Lion Headrest
Located in Chicago, IL
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...
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Ceramics
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Blue and White Fu Lion Headrest
Located in Chicago, IL
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...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Ceramics
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Blue and White Fu Lion Headrest
Located in Chicago, IL
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...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Ceramics
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Blue and White Fu Lion Headrest
Located in Chicago, IL
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 late 20th century and is glazed in the blue-and-white style with a stencil-transfer design.
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...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Ceramics
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Blue and White Jar with Mythical Fu Lions
Located in Chicago, IL
This round, porcelain storage jar is brightly glazed in the classic blue-and-white manner. A combination of stenciled linework and hand-brushed shading, the sides of the jar are deco...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinese Export Ceramics
Materials
Porcelain
You May Also Like
Small Blue & White Garden Seat
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Very sweet smaller scale vibrant blue and white garden seat / side table.
Perfect next to a chair for your cocktail.
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Ceramics
Materials
Clay, Porcelain
Fine Chinese Porcelain Blue&White Dragon Phoenix Meiping Vase Stand Modern 20c
Located in Richmond, CA
This Chinese blue and white Meiping vase is not only a masterful example of ceramic artistry but also a tribute to traditional craftsmanship. Meticulously hand-painted and exceptiona...
Category
20th Century Chinese Qing Ceramics
Materials
Porcelain
Qing Chinese Blue & White Porcelain Lidded Jar w Hand Painted Five-Clawed Dragon
Located in Miami, FL
A very beautiful Chinese porcelain baluster-shaped jar with lid and knob, painted in underglaze blue crackle with hand-painted cobalt blue and white decorations depicting a two-horne...
Category
Antique 19th Century Chinese Qing Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
$3,003 Sale Price
30% Off
Large Blue and White Jardinière Planter with Dragon and Phoenix Bird
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Classic Chinese blue and white porcelain jardinière with hand painted cobalt decoration. The white porcelain with painted Dragon a...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Ceramics
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Qing Blue and White Porcelain Vase with Foo Dogs and Double Happiness
Located in Miami, FL
A Qing Chinese porcelain vase with baluster-form, hand-painted with cobalt blue decoration of "shuang-xi" or "double happiness" symbol representing happiness in marriage, amid contin...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
$1,112 Sale Price
20% Off
Vintage Blue & White Chinese Garden Seat
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Vintage blue & white Chinese garden seat with an overall floral leaf design.
Will brighten up any setting.
Category
20th Century Chinese Ceramics
Materials
Porcelain
More Ways To Browse
Chinese Lions
Asian Lions
Glazed Lion
Antique Chinese Lions
Chinese Guardian
Chinese Glazed Figure
Lion With Ball
Asian Coins
Porcelain Chinese Lions
Blue White Porcelain Box
Chinese Box Ceramic
Chinese Guardian Lion
Blue And White Chinese Boxes
Lion Coin
Antique Chinese Coins
Blue Ceramic Lion
Antique Coin Box
Porcelain Chinese Woman