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...

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

A fine antique Chinese Export porcelain bowl. In the Canton pattern. Decorated in underglaze blue with a mountainous Chinese village with houses, mountains, foliage, and a river an...

Nice « Blanc Bleu » porcelain plate dating from XIX th century. Blue and white porcelain soup plate. White and blue plate with a couple of peacocks flying through plants and flowers. This porcelain is characteristic of the blue family. The arrival of porcelain in Europe was linked to the development of shipping and international trade. Porcelain was very popular in Europe because of its lightness and its durability. The import from China is linked to the lack of mastery of this technique by the Europeans. The French, Dutch and British East India...

Originally a wish for a happy marriage the double happiness symbol is iconic, here we present a pair of lidded tea caddies hand decorated with a floral background.