Famille Verte Headrest with Courtyard Scenes

This large porcelain block is an oversized version of the headrests once used by well-to-do women to keep their elaborate hairstyles intact while sleeping. Its exaggerated scale and flat sides make this headrest the ideal canvas for intricate famille verte enamel decoration. Each side is painted with a fanciful scene of courtly life, from leisurely strolls through the garden to calligraphy practice beneath a pine tree. The sides feature painted butterflies, symbols of happiness, and decorative cutouts in the shape of interlocking coins, symbols of wealth and prosperity.

From the collection of Frances and Gary Comer.