
Artifact Date:
A.D. 960 - A.D. 1127
Artifact Era/Dynasty:
Song Dynasty (960-1279)
Creator:
Unknown
Creator Ancestory:
Chinese
Department:
The Museum Proper
Replica or Original:
Not a Replica
On Display, In Storage, or in a Private Offsite Collection:
On Display
Primary Material:
Ceramics
Medium:
Ding Ware Porcelain
Dimensions:
Listen
Porcelain headrest in the shape of a boy.
男孩形狀的瓷枕。
Classification/Category:
Recreational Objects
Specific Classification:
Porcelain Head Rest
Notable Signatures,
Inscriptions, and/or Markings:
Donated by:
Accession Number
1993.056.001
Catalogue Entry
During the Tang Dynasty (618 AD) porcelain pillows gained widespread popularity. Child-shaped headrests were common recreational household items, as well as favourable wedding gifts. Children playing or sleeping are a reoccuring motif for ceramic pillows. The boy appears in a relaxed pose. The natural curve on the boys back is used as support for the head. It's design is simple yet elegant. Through research, Head Rest in the Shape of a Boy proves to be an extraordinary historic Chinese artifact, allowing insight to historic cultural signifiers. Ceramic pillows preserved extravagant hairstyles, maintained healthy posture and kept the head cool, while resting.
During the Song Dynasty (960–1279), the ceramic industry expanded greatly. Among the many styles, Ding Ware held the highest reputation, most noteworthy for quality, including technicality and aesthetic. The milky-white ceramic deeply influenced later glaze ceramic styles.
瓷枕於唐代(公元618年)廣受歡迎。孩形頭枕在當時是常見的休閒家居用品,也是熱門的結婚禮物。兒童玩耍或睡覺的形態是陶瓷枕頭反復出現的款式。男孩多以放鬆的姿態出現,而孩兒背部的自然曲線則用作頭部的支撐。定窯孩兒枕的設計簡單而優雅,是一件價值非凡的中國歷史文物。陶瓷枕頭能夠保持使用者的髮型,為使用者維持健康的睡姿,並在休息時保持頭部涼爽。
在宋代(960-1279),陶瓷工業有了很重大的發展。在眾多款式中,定窯享有最高的聲譽。最值得一提的是其質素,包括它的技術性和美學性。乳白色的陶瓷亦深深地影響了後來的釉面陶瓷風格。
Online References:
"Chinese porcelain pillows: ‘cool’ headrests" : https://www.liveauctioneers.com/news/be-smart/chinese-porcelain-pillows-cool-headrests/

Artifact Date:
A.D. 960 - A.D. 1127
Song Dynasty (960-1279)
Artifact Era/Dynasty:
Unknown
Creator:
Chinese
Creator Ancestry:
Catalogue Entry
Online References:
"Chinese porcelain pillows: ‘cool’ headrests" : https://www.liveauctioneers.com/news/be-smart/chinese-porcelain-pillows-cool-headrests/
Department:
The Museum Proper
On Display, In Storage, or in a Private Offsite Collection:
On Display
Replica or Original:
Not a Replica
Porcelain headrest in the shape of a boy.
男孩形狀的瓷枕。
Listen
Classification/Category:
Recreational Objects
Specific Classification:
Porcelain Head Rest
Notable Signatures,
Inscriptions, and/or Markings: