Song Dynasty Hutian Kiln Yingqing Porcelain Square Pillow With Carved Children‑at‑Play Motifs

拍品描述

Dimensions：Length 24 cm (9.4 in), height 11 cm (4.3 in), 10th‑13th Century CECondition & Provenance：The porcelain pillow remains structurally complete, free of cracks, glaze loss or restoration. Carved children‑at‑play decorations on four sides stay crisp and fluent. The soft translucent yingqing glaze survives in excellent even condition. Four corner base areas show exposed clay with genuine ancient burial encrustation; central vent hole is intact. Only faint age‑related fine surface crazing is present, which does not compromise the main body. Unearthed in southern China, this Song yingqing pillow was once held by a private pre‑Yuan porcelain collector in Hong Kong. It entered another established Hong‑Kong‑based private collection in 2026. Full provenance records and appraisal documents from professional ancient ceramic institute are available.Description：This square waisted porcelain pillow with carved children‑at‑play decoration is a fine representative daily‑use artifact from Jingdezhen Hutian kiln of Song China. Its square‑waisted silhouette features gently concave top surface ergonomically shaped for resting one’s head. The entire piece is covered with refined translucent yingqing glaze of soft lake‑green tone, delivering jade‑like mild luster. All four vertical sides are decorated with incised children‑at‑play patterns. Figures are rendered in lively postures enclosed within beaded brocade borders. Fine, fluid incising work represents the popular auspicious theme in Song folk culture symbolizing prosperity and many descendants. Four corners at the base expose clean white high‑quality porcelain body. A central circular vent hole is deliberately designed to release inner air during high‑temperature firing and avoid thermal‑stress cracking. Surviving intact yingqing pillows from Hutian kiln are fairly uncommon on global antique market. Examples of square‑waisted form fully decorated on four sides with well‑preserved carving are especially rare. This artifact perfectly merges practical function, literati aesthetic taste and traditional folk auspicious symbolism. It serves as a key reference object for academic research on southern Song daily‑life porcelain and social customs. Highly prized by pre‑Yuan porcelain collectors worldwide, it delivers great display appeal and solid long‑term collecting value.

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