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 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 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 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...

A Chinese Kangxi blue-and-white porcelain 'Herring' dish Qianlong period, third quarter of the 18th century With two mirrored herring against plain fond, surrounded by floral b...

An exquisite pair of Chinese porcelain lidded vases, in baluster form and beautifully hand-painted with a traditional decoration of entwining branches of white blossoming prunus set ...

Chinese blue and white porcelain vase hand-painted with double happiness symbols upon a scrolling foliate ground, with two figural animal...

Charming pair of Chinese blue and white porcelain bowls hand decorated with butterflies and moths, perfect for orchid arrangemen...

Charming pair of Chinese blue and white porcelain lidded rectangular tea caddies or jars hand decorated with pagodas and landscapes.

A classic antique blue and white 19th Century porcelain jar, beautifully painted and perfectly formed. Shanxi Province, c. 1880 or earlier.