1. Overall Overview
This is a porcelain pillow produced by the Cizhou Kiln during the Song Dynasty (960-1279). Its form is that of a “Ruyi-head” shape, and the main decorative theme on the pillow surface is a “carved ‘Double Fowl’ design.” It represents a perfect fusion of practical function and aesthetic art, vividly reflecting the secular life and aesthetic tastes of the Song Dynasty.
2. Detailed Analysis
I. Kiln Origin: Cizhou Kiln
- Paragon of Folk Kilns: The Cizhou Kiln was the largest system of folk kilns in northern China, located in present-day Handan, Hebei. In contrast to official kilns that pursued pure glazes and elegant forms, Cizhou ware is renowned for its striking contrast of black designs on a white ground and its free, vigorous style, full of robust vitality.
- Diverse Decoration: Its decorative techniques were varied, including white-ground with black decoration (carving, incising, painting), white-ground with incised design, and pearl-ground with incised design. This pillow utilizes the “carved” technique.
II. Form: The Ruyi-Head Pillow
- Ruyi-Head Shape: The pillow’s form imitates the head of a “Ruyi” scepter, appearing as a cloud-scroll or heart shape with an elegant outline and smooth lines. This form was extremely popular among Song Dynasty ceramic pillows and carries the auspicious meaning of “May your wishes be fulfilled.”
- Utility and Aesthetics: Porcelain pillows were common bedding items in the Song Dynasty, serving the practical functions of keeping the head cool and preserving hairstyles. Simultaneously, their form possessed high ornamental value.
III. Technique: Carving (Carved Decoration)
- Technical Process: “Carving” was one of the core techniques of Cizhou Kiln. The process was roughly as follows: A layer of white slip (engobe) was applied to the shaped body to cover its natural color and roughness. The design outlines were then carved. Next, the background area outside the design was scraped or cut away, revealing the darker body clay. Finally, a transparent glaze was applied before firing.
- Artistic Effect: After firing, the piece exhibits a strong contrast between the white design and the reddish-brown (or grayish-brown) background. The design has a sense of relief-like dimensionality, with clear and sharp lines.
IV. Decoration: The Double Fowl Design
- Theme and Symbolism: “Double Fowl” typically refers to a pair of birds, often mandarin ducks, wild geese, or peacocks. In Chinese traditional culture, a pair of birds symbolizes conjugal affection, family harmony, and fidelity, making it a highly auspicious decorative motif.
- Vivid Composition: The design composition is lush and full. The two birds, often turning their heads towards each other, are depicted frolicking among flowers and plants (commonly accompanied by lotus flowers, reeds, etc.). The scene is dynamic and lively, reflecting the profound influence of the high achievement of Song Dynasty bird-and-flower painting on the decorative arts.
3. Artistic and Historical Value
- Vehicle of Song Aesthetics: This pillow perfectly embodies the Song Dynasty’s aesthetic orientation of “elegance appealing to both refined and popular tastes.” It was both a utilitarian object and a work of art, with natural, vivid patterns and a serene, elegant意境 (yijing – artistic conception).
- Microcosm of Folk Culture: The choice of decorative theme directly reflects the contemporary populace’s aspirations and wishes for a happy life, serving as important physical material for studying Song Dynasty social customs and ideologies.
- Pinnacle of Cizhou Technique: It integrates the unique carved technique, classic form, and auspicious motifs of Cizhou Kiln, representing the kiln’s superb technical level and distinctive artistic style.
4. Collection and Market
Fine Cizhou pillows of this type—with excellent craftsmanship, good condition, and clear decoration—are held in major museums worldwide (such as the Palace Museum in Beijing, the British Museum, the Tokyo National Museum, etc.) and are considered museum-grade treasures. In the art auction market, comparable pieces often command high prices, reaching millions or even tens of millions of RMB.
In summary, the “Cizhou Kiln carved ‘Double Fowl’ design Ruyi-head pillow” is a treasure that encapsulates the wisdom, life sentiments, and artistic accomplishments of Song Dynasty folk artisans. It is not merely a piece of bedding but a three-dimensional painting and a silent poem, opening a bright window for us to understand Song Dynasty society across time and space。
