Chinese Red Lacquer Hide Headrest, C. 1850

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Crafted of painted, lacquered hide, this extraordinary headrest was created in China's Jiangxi province over 150 years ago. Its pliable … Read more Crafted of painted, lacquered hide, this extraordinary headrest was created in China's Jiangxi province over 150 years ago. Its pliable design enabled contour comfort - quite luxurious for the time. Some scholars think the soft curve and height was intended to comfortably support the head and neck while preserving the intricate hairstyles of upper-class women. Paintings of auspicious creatures mid-flight adorn each end of the headrest, a dragon at one end and a phoenix on the other. Elevated by a custom steel mount, the headrest becomes a storied work of sculpture. See less