Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 7

Chinese Double Guardian Headrest, circa 1900

About the Item

To keep her elaborate hairstyle intact while sleeping, a well-to-do Qing-dynasty woman would use a rigid headrest or neck pillow to keep her head elevated. Whether functional or purely decorative, such headrests were crafted from a variety of materials and were often decorated with elaborate patterns or symbolic motifs. Painted in the style of Ming-dynasty cizhou ware, this ceramic headrest was painted with gestural brushstrokes of warm browns atop a creamy-white slip base. The headrest is supported by two crouching mythical guardians with fearsome expressions meant to protect the sleeping owner from evil spirits. In the center is the image of a tiger, known as the "king of the wild beasts" in Chinese folklore, and an emblem of courage, dignity, and ferocity. Painted atop the headrest is the calming scene of a scholar fishing in a meditation garden - intended to encourage peaceful dreams while the guardians below protect from nightmares.
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 5.5 in (13.97 cm)Width: 10 in (25.4 cm)Depth: 5.25 in (13.34 cm)
  • Style:
    Qing (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
    Porcelain,Glazed
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    circa 1900
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use.
  • Seller Location:
    Chicago, IL
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: BJGG0021stDibs: LU820013099461

More From This Seller

View All
Chinese Bamboo Cloth Teapot, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Tea drinking has been an integral part of Chinese culture for centuries, resulting in a wide range of social customs and material traditions. In addition to tea leaves, water, and heat, the art of drinking tea (chayi) calls for a variety of teaware and utensils - both practical and decorative. This charming teapot dates to the late Qing dynasty and is hand-carved from a hollow length of bamboo to appear as though parceled by a cloth strung with tassels. The teapot has a squat, rounded form and a dark brown finish, reminiscent of Yixing red clay teapots...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Bamboo

Chinese Bamboo Pomegranate Teapot, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Tea drinking has been an integral part of Chinese culture for centuries, resulting in a wide range of social customs and material traditions. In addition to tea leaves, water, and heat, the art of drinking tea (chayi) calls for a variety of teaware and utensils - both practical and decorative. This charming teapot dates to the late Qing dynasty and is hand-carved from a hollow length of bamboo in the shape of a ripe pomegranate. The handle is carved to resemble a thin branch, which forks to either side of the teapot bearing long, slender leaves. The teapot has a squat, rounded form and a dark brown finish, reminiscent of Yixing red clay teapots...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Bamboo

Pair of Petite Chinese Fu Dog Guardians
Located in Chicago, IL
With curly manes and playful expressions, these petite stone fu dogs are adorable companions and benevolent guardians of the home. Also known as shizi, the pair represents yin and ya...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Limestone

Chinese Polychrome Seated Ancestor Figure, C. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
An integral part of traditional Chinese home life, ancestor worship before a domestic altar often featured painted ancestral portraits or tabletop ance...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Wood

Chinese Lucky Girl Headrest, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
To keep her elaborate hairstyle intact while sleeping, a well-to-do Qing-dynasty woman would use a rigid headrest or neck pillow to keep her head elevated. Whether functional or purely decorative, such headrests were crafted from a variety of materials and were often decorated with elaborate patterns or symbolic motifs. This porcelain headrest...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Ceramics

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Bamboo Cloth Teapot with Arched Handle, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Tea drinking has been an integral part of Chinese culture for centuries, resulting in a wide range of social customs and material traditions. In addition to tea leaves, water, and he...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Bamboo

You May Also Like

Limestone Fu Dog Guardian Figure from China, c. 1900
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
This limestone carving depicts a Fu Dog Guardian figure and was carved from a solid block. Sculptures such as these were used to protect ones home from bad spirits or bad luck. They ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Qing Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Limestone

Carved Yellow Soapstone Figure of Guanyin, Chinese circa 1900
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
The finely carved full length figure of 'The Goddess of Compassion, Kindness & Mercy' shown attired in flowing robes, her hair worn in high chignon with her face effecting a serene a...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Soapstone

Pair Of Chinese Hardstone Guardian Lions
Located in Norwood, NJ
Pair of hand carved Chinese Jade hardstone Foo Lions or Fu Dogs. This pair of Chinese spinach jade appears to be a nephrite, covered vases having a figural foo lion design with raise...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Jade

Antique 19th Century Chinese Hand-Carved Stone Guardian Sculpture
Located in Yonkers, NY
A 19th century Chinese carved guardian statue used as ship ballast. In the time when great wooden ships dominated the trade among nations of the east,...
Category

Antique 19th Century Chinese Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Stone

Rare Large Chinese Export circa 1900 Shoushan Stone Sculpture Pandas Crane Birds
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning and very rare original Chinese Export circa 1900 Shoushan stone carving of mountain lions on rocks I h...
Category

Antique Early 1900s Chinese Chinese Export Animal Sculptures

Materials

Stone

A Pair Of Rare And Fine Ceramic San-cai Guardian Lions
Located in Greenwich, CT
A pair rare and fine ceramic with san-cai guardian lions, lively modeled with intricate details, lively modeled, beautiful colors.
Category

Antique 19th Century Chinese Qing Animal Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic

Recently Viewed

View All