Octagonal pillow with black calligraphy (Dao De Qing Jing)

This is an elongated octagonal pillow from the Jin dynasty, produced in the Cizhou style. The clay is gray and covered by white slip. Lines are incised on the surface and floriated decoration are carved both on the left and right sides. In the center the characters Dao, De, Qing, and Jing are written. Qingjing Jing (The Book of Clarity and Stillness) and Daode Jing (The Book of the Way and of its Virtue) are two of the most important texts in Daoism. The Daode Jing in particular spread very widely and became an important text for Daoist teachings. The characters written on the pillow by an artisan were not only to express spiritual beliefs but to give advice on how to conduct oneself in society.