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...

Collection of Five Chinese Blue and White Porcelain Vessels, comprising: crackle glazed bud vase with landscape scene and silver mounted rim, ovoid vase with landscape, square tapere...

Chinese Blue and White Porcelain Dish, likely Ming Dynasty, with dragon motif to the center and shaped rim. 1.25" H x 8" Diameter. Provenance: From an Upper East Side Collection.

Chinese Blue and White Porcelain Shallow Bowl, with floral and vine motif. 1.5" H x 7.75" Diameter. Provenance: From an Upper East Side Collection.

Antique Chinese Blue and White Porcelain Spoon. A deftly modeled fine porcelain spoon with unusual scalloped edge and crisp d...