Cloud-Collar Pillow with Waves

1000s-1100s
Overall: 10 x 17.5 x 13.4 cm (3 15/16 x 6 7/8 x 5 1/4 in.)
You can copy, modify, and distribute this work, all without asking permission. Learn more about CMA's Open Access Initiative.

Download, Print and Share

Did You Know?

While ceramic might not be your choice for a pillow, it actually kept the user cool as they slept.

Description

This ceramic pillow in the form of a cloud—a design pattern variously referred to as ruyi, the shape of a head of an auspicious scepter—is a fine example of qingbai ware from Jiangxi province. It has a pure white body covered with a transparent, glassy glaze that carries a faint greenish tinge, thus giving it another name, yingqing, or "shadow blue." On the surface of the pillow is a carved and incised design of repeating wave patterns. The beauty of this piece lies in its elegance of form, simplicity of design, and delicacy of workmanship.
Cloud-Collar Pillow with Waves

Cloud-Collar Pillow with Waves

1000s-1100s

China, Jiangxi province, Northern Song dynasty (960-1127)

Visually Similar Artworks

Contact us

The information about this object, including provenance, may not be currently accurate. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@clevelandart.org.

To request more information about this object, study images, or bibliography, contact the Ingalls Library Reference Desk.

All images and data available through Open Access can be downloaded for free. For images not available through Open Access, a detail image, or any image with a color bar, request a digital file from Image Services.