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Chinese Blue & White Porcelain Dragon & Phoenix Pillow stock #JWHqingPillo
Late Qing blue and white porcelain headrest decorated in underglaze cobalt with a dragon emerging from stylized waves, a phoenix in flight above, and a flaming pearl between them. The pillow has a tapered rectangular form with paired coin-shaped apertures at the top, traditionally used for ventilation and cooling. Secondary sides are decorated with floral sprays, allowing the piece to read well from multiple viewpoints. The underside is open, consistent with functional ceramic pillows of the period. In very good condition, it measures 8.5 inches long or high.
June’s Thoughts What immediately drew me to this piece was the liveliness of the painting. The dragon is not stiff or emblematic — it moves, twists, and reacts, while the phoenix above feels light and alert rather than purely symbolic. The brushwork has a looseness that suggests confidence rather than speed, the kind often found on objects made for use rather than strict presentation. The pairing of dragon, phoenix, and flaming pearl carries long-standing associations with harmony and auspicious union, imagery that would have been immediately understood by an educated owner. |
