Pillow with Black Figures on a White Ground, Cizhou Ware

Kiln: Cizhou kiln
Period: Jin dynasty (1115-1234)
Date: undated

Cizhou kiln is located in Handan, Hebei province This pillow has black decorations on all sides except the bottom. Although the decorations vary in subject matters, they are in good composition. The mark at the bottom indicating the producer serves as a trademark. Cizhou kiln is one of the most famous non-official kilns in north China during the Northern Song dynasty (960-1127). Cizhou wares are characterized with underglaze-black and brown decorations on a white ground. Porcelain pillows from Cizhou kiln were well known for its lively decoration designs.