Ceramic Headrest

Rest pillow

Headrest, ceramic glazed. Graphic patterns. Particular Tang color design by marbling.

Object ID
Tang_001

Age
Tang Dynasty (618 – 907 AD)

Material
Ceramics

Color
white / brown

Length
15.4 cm

Length (bottom)
14 cm

Width
6.1 cm

Width (bottom)
4.3 cm

Height
5.3 cm

Condition
very good

Price
on request

Description

The in square conical designed headrest has an upper lying slightly rounded surface. The graphical impression by rounded and elongated elements is narrow put together – also over the edges. Partly there are dark dots or looped patterns. The bottom is slightly blurred and faded. The graphic patterns appear in white and dark-brown. This kind of color design by marbling is a special feature in the Tang Dynasty. For this purpose white and brown clay masses were kneaded together. Some exotic looking objects were formed from it. [1] Comparable with this are the techniques of the antic mosaic glasses and the Venetian Millefiori glasses. There are clay layers of different colors systematically folded into an approximately cylindrical body. A longitudinal section through this always hits the same color. Slices cut from the same show the desired pattern. [2] Then the objects were covered with a transparent glaze.
Headrests were very popular objects to escape the heat in summer-time. However, it is known that in China head supports were also produced for the grave cult. [3] (HV)

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[1] Kieser, Annette (2010): Die chinesische Kunst. Philipp Reclam jun. Verlag, Stuttgart. 151
[2] Feddersen, Martin (1955): Chinesisches Kunstgewerbe. Klinkhardt & Biermann. Braunschweig. 38
[3] Wiesner, Ulrich (1983): Chinesische und japanische Keramik. In: museum (Dez. 1983): Museum für Ostasiatische Kunst Köln. Westermann Verlag. Braunschweig. 70