Mandarin ducks symbolize eternal love and fidelity in East Asian culture, often representing marital harmony as they are believed to mate for life. Reishi mushrooms, known as symbols of longevity and health, are revered in traditional Asian medicine for their association with immortality and have been used for centuries to promote vitality and strengthen the immune system.
The orange glaze is commonly found on Cizhou-type tiger pillows. The attached materials indicate that this tiger pillow is from the same period and shares the same color tone as the one housed in the Baoji Bronzeware Museum, a national museum located in Shaanxi Province. Considering the glaze color, painting style, and shape, it is speculated that this piece was used by the imperial court.
Period : Jin-Song Dynasty(12-13th century)
Type : Pillow
Medium : Cizhou Ware
Size : 28 cm(Width), 30cm(Vertical), 16cm(Height)
Provenance : Acquired in late 1990s from Hongkong
Reference
1) Christies Hongkong 9 OCT 2019 - The Pavilion Sale - Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art Including the Quek Kiok Lee Collection
(Price realised : HKD 225,000 / Type : related)
2) The Baoji Bronzeware Museum, Shaanxi Province - Tiger Cizhou Pillow...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Hong Kong Antique South Korea