Skip to Content
Today Open today 10–11 members | 11–5 public

  • Mon 11–5
  • Tue–Wed Closed
  • Thu 11–8
  • Fri–Sun 11–5
  • The first hour of every day, 10–11 a.m., is reserved for member-only viewing.

Cloud-Shaped Pillow with Peony Scroll

A flat-lidded pale ceramic in a floral-like shape, a delicate floral motif in relief at top and on the sides.
CC0 Public Domain Designation

Image actions

  • A flat-lidded pale ceramic in a floral-like shape, a delicate floral motif in relief at top and on the sides.

Date:

Northern Song dynasty (960–1127), late 10th/early 11th century

Artist:

China

About this artwork

With its sturdy stoneware body and incised and carved decorations, this pillow is an example of Cizhou ware, a type of ceramic crafted in northern China. While ceramic pillows were initially perceived solely as items for burial, it is now believed they were also utilized in daily life. The ceramic material served as an efficient cooling aid during hot summer days, while auspicious decorative motifs made these objects ideal gifts for special occasions. Symbolizing wealth, love, and feminine beauty, the motif of peonies frequently adorns Cizhou pillows, including this one here.

Status

On View, Gallery 134

Department

Arts of Asia

Title

Cloud-Shaped Pillow with Peony Scroll

Place

China (Artist's nationality:)

Date  Dates are not always precisely known, but the Art Institute strives to present this information as consistently and legibly as possible. Dates may be represented as a range that spans decades, centuries, dynasties, or periods and may include qualifiers such as c. (circa) or BCE.

960 CE–1050

Medium

Cizhou ware; stoneware, slip-coated with underglaze carved, incised, and inlaid decoration

Dimensions

9.6 × 21.6 × 17.8 cm (3 3/4 × 8 1/2 × 7 in.)

Credit Line

Lucy Maud Buckingham Collection

Reference Number

1924.307

IIIF Manifest  The International Image Interoperability Framework (IIIF) represents a set of open standards that enables rich access to digital media from libraries, archives, museums, and other cultural institutions around the world.

Learn more.

https://api.artic.edu/api/v1/artworks/12284/manifest.json

Extended information about this artwork

Object information is a work in progress and may be updated as new research findings emerge. To help improve this record, please email . Information about image downloads and licensing is available here.

Share

Sign up for our enewsletter to receive updates.
Learn more

Image actions

Share

Suggested Terms