Antique Glazed Opium Pillow, Shiwan, China (3849A-ZHK) $235

Description

For centuries Chinese believed ceramic pillows increased the health, vitality and comfort of the body and soothe the spirit. Their surfaces provided coolness during hot weather and were preferred over soft pillows which were believed to rob the body’s vitality and energy. Made with a variety of glazes and designs, it was believed a pillow could impart special qualities to the person sleeping on it, and designs were chosen for their auspicious symbolic meaning so virtues represented would be passed to those using them. Their general popularity faded during the Ming and Qing as softer pillows became more popular. Stoneware  “opium pillows”  made in Shiwan, like this were used for smoking opium in dens as their hard cold surface cooled the users’ heads and necks and the holes promoted ventilation that helped keep the pillow cool. It was often likened to floating on a cool cloud, and the hollow inside made easy to clean and store valuables. The coin on the side with a diamond-shaped center was etched during the first firing and the surface turned reddish beige which is visible through the glaze. Coins inside a square opening were known as “eye coins”, a pun for “before your eyes” meaning wealth and prosperity are “before you,” and “on their way.” Typical of Shiwan stoneware, it is covered with an off-white running glaze with traces of copper oxide. Wonderful green streaks cover the outside while the inside is unglazed. They were exported to overseas Chinese communities worldwide and used in commercial opium dens, although wealthy opium smokers would bring their own pillow for personal use. A similar piece is part of the Aggv Collection Museum in of British Columbia.

Click here for the blog The Allure of Shiwan Pottery

Sources:

aggv.ca emuseum collection, Aggv Emuseum Art Gallery of British Columbia

Answers.com What were ceramic pillows used for in medieval China, wiki.answers.com/

Cultural China, History and Literature –Archeology: Porcelain Pillows.

The Minnesota Institute of Arts, Objects in Focus: Chinese Ceramic Pillows.

China Daily, A Journey through the History of Chinese Porcelain Pillows