Porcelain Brush Rest with Vivid Fish Images

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...

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...

Carl Auböck #3544 pen or brush rest in brass and brown leather, Austria 2022.

This early 20th-century English bookshelf, adorned with the hand-painted crest of Marlborough College, exudes a vintage charm with its soft blond patina and nostalgic scholastic vibe. The piece's functional design and educational heritage make it an ideal accent for a study or reading nook, capturing the spirit of classic English boarding school...