ceramic pillow with painted glaze decoration in black of deer profile and foliage on top; scroll designs on outer edges; white glaze

Pillow, 11th-12th century

Unknown artist, expand_more

Painting directly on white slip was one of several decorative techniques practiced at Cizhou kilns. This pillow features a deer painted in its main register. The animal was an auspicious emblem connoting a wish for long life to Daoists and the hope for official title to Confucian scholars. A variety of auspicious animals and flowers were common decoration on painted Cizhou pillows.

Details
Title
Pillow
Role
Artist
Accession Number
2000.42
Curator Approved

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ceramic pillow with painted glaze decoration in black of deer profile and foliage on top; scroll designs on outer edges; white glaze