Top shaped like an abstracted leaf; top carved with a blooming peony in brown-black glaze; brown-black stripe around edge; cream ground

Pillow, late 11th-early 12th century

Unknown artist, expand_more

Leaf-shaped pillows were an innovation of the Cizhou kilns and those with sgraffito decoration on black slip over white slip like this one were popular from the late eleventh through the twelfth century. This handsome example displays a boldly incised peony spray symbolizing wealth, spring, and feminine beauty. The peony was a common motif during this period and one that archaeologists have shown was manufactured largely at northern kilns in the Guantai area, near the former Cizhou in southern Hebei Province. Cizhou ware developed entirely as a popular, inexpensive stoneware tradition for everyday use. The rough clay bodies were given a smooth white surface by the application of a white slip upon which the potters explored a great variety of decorative techniques

Details
Title
Pillow
Role
Artist
Accession Number
99.69.1
Curator Approved

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Top shaped like an abstracted leaf; top carved with a blooming peony in brown-black glaze; brown-black stripe around edge; cream ground