Chinese Blue and White Porcelain Seal

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...

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 ...

Images of shizi, a lion-dog symbol of power and strength of character, cavort among the stylized clouds of heaven on this hand-painted covered jar. Original...

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 protect their elaborate hairstyles by elevating the head during slumber. This decorative example dates to the mid-20th century and is printed with an idyllic scene in the style of Chinese propaganda illustrations. Two young girls pause their farm work to read beneath a pine tree, with farm land...

This is a good Chinese Export snuff bottle, made from porcelain and hand painted in cobalt blue, dating to the mid 20th century, circa 1940. This piece is well potted with a balus...

This is a Chinese Export porcelain bowl, hand painted in a blue and white pattern, which we date to the 18th Century or earlier, back to late Ming dynasty in the early 17th century. ...

A Chinese Export blue and white porcelain vase from the 20th century, with dragon motifs. Created in China during the 20th century, this blue and white porcelain vase features a nice...

This blue-and-white temple jar stands tall with broad shoulders that taper to a splayed base. Bordered by a simple meander at the neck, the jar is decorated with a dense pattern of o...