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

Chinese Blue and White Fu Lion Headrest

$328
£249.01
€287.07
CA$464
A$499.54
CHF 267.51
MX$6,019.27
NOK 3,375.27
SEK 3,088.92
DKK 2,145.10

About the Item

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. Dated to the early 20th century, this example is glazed in the blue-and-white style with floral scrollwork and geometric meanders surrounding coin-shaped cutouts symbolizing wealth. The short ends of the headrest are decorated with mythical fu lion dogs playing with embroidered balls, 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. Minor hairline cracks to coin cutouts.
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 5.25 in (13.34 cm)Width: 6 in (15.24 cm)Depth: 2.5 in (6.35 cm)
  • Style:
    Chinese Export (In the Style Of)
  • Materials and Techniques:
    Porcelain,Glazed
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    Early 20th Century
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use.
  • Seller Location:
    Chicago, IL
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: CESB0171stDibs: LU820031376852

More From This Seller

View All
Chinese Blue and White Fu Lion Headrest
Located in Chicago, IL
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...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Ceramics

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Blue and White Fu Lion Headrest
Located in Chicago, IL
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...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Ceramics

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Blue and White Fu Lion Headrest, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
This large 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 early 20th century and is glazed in the blue-and-white style with rich, cobalt-blue color. The headrest is decorated on all sides with mythical fu lion dogs playing with ribbon-tied brocade balls, 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. A geometric meander trims the corners and small dragon-like bats frame coin...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Ceramics

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Blue and White Jar with Mythical Fu Lions
Located in Chicago, IL
This round, porcelain storage jar is brightly glazed in the classic blue-and-white manner. A combination of stenciled linework and hand-brushed shading, the sides of the jar are deco...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinese Export Ceramics

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Blue White Jar with Mythical Fu Lions
Located in Chicago, IL
This round, porcelain storage jar is brightly glazed in the classic blue-and-white manner. A combination of stenciled linework and hand-brushed shading, the sides of the jar are deco...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinese Export Ceramics

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Printed Blue and White Headrest
Located in Chicago, IL
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...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Ceramics

Materials

Porcelain

You May Also Like

Blue and White Chinoiserie Garden Seat, Porcelain, 20th Century
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Very sweet smaller scale vibrant blue and white garden seat / side table. Perfect next to a chair for your cocktail.
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Ceramics

Materials

Clay, Porcelain

Vintage Blue White Chinese Garden Seat
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Vintage blue & white Chinese garden seat with an overall floral leaf design. Will brighten up any setting.
Category

20th Century Chinese Ceramics

Materials

Porcelain

Ceramic Asian Garden Seat in Blue and White Floral Motifs
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Asian ceramic garden seat or end table in blue and white floral motif. Blue and white Chinese style ceramic garden stool with hand-painted striking floral chinoiserie floral art work...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Patio and Garden Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Chinese Blue and White Garden Stool/Seat
Located in East Hampton, NY
Chinese blue and white garden seat/stool/table.
Category

20th Century Patio and Garden Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

A Chinese Blue and White Ceramic Dragon Tea Caddy, 18th Century
Located in ARMADALE, VIC
A Chinese Blue and White Ceramic Dragon Tea Caddy, 18th Century Description: A square tea caddy with a blue and white design, featuring a dragon amidst scrolling clouds. Originally ...
Category

Antique 18th Century Chinese Qing Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Antique 17C Japanese Porcelain Blue White Edo Period Arita Vase Flowers Lion
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Nice & Beautiful Arita Japanese Porcelain Vase, beaker shape. This is a beautiful 17th-century Japanese Arita porcelain vase, likely dating to the second half of the 1600s during the...
Category

Antique 17th Century Edo Decorative Dishes and Vide-Poche

Materials

Porcelain