Early 20th Century Provincial Chinese Headrest

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...

Hand carved from a single piece of wood, this oblong basin has fantastic character. Once used to hold grain as a part of the threshing process, the early 20th century tub displays the warmth of oakwood, now beautifully aged with a rich patina. The tub's unusual shape offers a rustic charm and fits seamlessly into modern interiors as a shallow planter...

Made of Chinese northern elmwood, this smooth block of wood was once used as a rigid headrest or neck pillow. The soft curve and height of the block not only supported the head while...

A century ago, someone held this carved wooden scoop in their hand everyday as they measured out rice or other grains. Hewn from a single block of wood, the scoop has a rustic, chise...