Late 19th Century Chinese Blue & White Porcelain Opium Pillow

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A beautiful porcelain opium pillow featuring classic blue-and-white decoration with hand-painted landscape motifs. The rectangular form, softly chamfered edges, and … Read more A beautiful porcelain opium pillow featuring classic blue-and-white decoration with hand-painted landscape motifs. The rectangular form, softly chamfered edges, and hollowed center are all hallmarks of traditional Chinese ceramic pillows.

Historically, these pillows were used in China as headrests, most commonly during the Qing dynasty and earlier. Despite the name, “opium pillow” is a bit of a misnomer—while they were sometimes associated with opium dens in the West, porcelain and ceramic pillows were widely used in everyday life. They were believed to help keep the head cool while sleeping and, according to tradition, to preserve elaborate hairstyles. The hollow interior also allowed for airflow and helped regulate temperature.

Today, these pillows are prized as decorative objects rather than functional ones. This piece works beautifully as a sculptural accent on a shelf, coffee table, or console, and pairs especially well with chinoiserie, coastal, or eclectic interiors. See less