Chinese Monochrome Cizhou Inscribed Pillow Glaze Stoneware Han Style Dynasty 20C

Chinese Monochrome Cizhou Inscribed Pillow Glaze Stoneware Han Style Dynasty 20C

ITEM DETAILS

Inventory Code: INV5554

Object: Curved Rectangular Ceramic Pillow

Material: Glazed Stoneware

Origin: China

Period: 20th Century, Cizhou Style

Date: 20th Century

Decoration: Cream monochrome glaze with brown Chinese calligraphic inscription, shaped central cartouche and scrolling floral corner motifs.

Mark: Chinese literary inscription, no identifiable maker’s mark.

MEASUREMENTS

Height: 5.51 in / 14.0 cm

Width: 12.99 in / 33.0 cm

Depth: 7.09 in / 18.0 cm

CONDITION

GOOD (4/5) – Surface wear, minor glaze imperfections, discolouration and firing irregularities. Some rubbing and wear to the edges and underside, with age-related staining and surface marks. A circular manufacturing vent hole is visible on the reverse. Please review the photos carefully for more details.

DESCRIPTION

An attractive Chinese Cizhou-style stoneware pillow of gently curved rectangular form, dating to the 20th century. The upper surface features an extensive Chinese calligraphic inscription in brown against a warm cream-glazed ground, enclosed within an elegant shaped cartouche and framed by scrolling floral and foliate decoration. The inscription is headed “Wo You Guan” (卧游观), approximately meaning “A View While Reclining,” and appears to explore the beauty of mountains, rivers and natural scenery. The gently concave form and restrained decoration recall traditional Chinese ceramic pillows associated with scholarly life and artistic contemplation.

INSCRIPTION – CHINESE AND ENGLISH

Chinese Heading:

卧游观

English Translation:

“A View While Reclining”

Chinese Text – Interpretive Summary:

天地辽阔，山川秀丽，江河流水，云霞变幻。山水之间，自有天地之灵气。静观自然之美，可以领悟天地和谐之道。虽身居室内，心可游于千山万水之间，感受山川之美，得自然之趣。

English Translation:

“The heavens and earth stretch endlessly, while mountains and rivers reveal their natural beauty. Flowing waters and changing clouds reflect the endless transformations of nature. Through quiet contemplation of the landscape, one may appreciate the harmony between heaven and earth. Even while resting indoors, the mind may wander among distant mountains and rivers, finding peace and pleasure in their beauty.”

The Chinese passage above is an interpretive reconstruction of the apparent theme, not an exact transcription of the original inscription. The English text is a corresponding literary interpretation.

COLLECTOR’S NOTE

Chinese ceramic pillows were particularly popular during the Song and Jin dynasties, with Cizhou workshops producing examples decorated with poetry, calligraphy, floral designs and symbolic imagery. Literary inscriptions often expressed philosophical reflections on nature, scholarly pursuits and personal contemplation. This 20th-century example follows that established decorative tradition, combining classical Chinese calligraphy with a traditional ceramic pillow form. An appealing piece for collectors of Chinese ceramics, calligraphy and scholar’s objects.

NOTES

The Chinese inscription and English interpretation are approximate and have not been independently verified against a complete scholarly transcription. Please review all photos carefully as they form part of the description.