White Glazed Boy-Shaped Pillow, Ding Ware - View 1

The Song dynasty was a thriving period for the development of the ceramics industry. During this time, many famous kilns specializing in the production of different styles appeared throughout the land. Among them, the Ding Kiln in the North left a lasting influence on subsequent generations of ceramic production since the Northern Song imperial court utilized the wares it produced. The ancient sites of the Ding Kiln are found in the area of Jianci and Yanshan, two villages in present-day Quyang County. This area was known as Dingzhou during the Song dynasty, hence the name of the kiln.
The boy-shaped ceramic pillow in the Palace Museum’s permanent collection is coated in a mild ivory glaze. The weighty piece is fashioned with an unglazed base with two holes. The artistry resembles the images of boys in Children at Play in an Autumn Courtyard (Qiuting yingxi tu) and Acrobatic Children (Zaji xihai tu) by Su Hanchen (1094-1172), a Northern Song court painter. A model of innocence, the plump boy lies on his stomach with his arms crossed under his chin. He holds an embroidered ball in his right hand and crosses his lifted feet. He wears a robe and a vest. Soft boots cover his feet. His bright eyes complement his pleasant smile and hairstyle. The four sides of his oval bed are embellished with relief; the dragon, cloud, and foliage designs display the superb, ancient craftsmanship. The smooth contours of the child's face vividly highlight his characteristics. The work is a masterpiece of ancient Chinese ceramic arts.

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