Pillow with Confucian Scholar, Buddhist Monk, and Daoist Priest

Currently not on view

Pillow with Confucian Scholar, Buddhist Monk, and Daoist Priest

1178

Artist/maker unknown, Chinese

This remarkable design is unique among known examples of Cizhou pillows. Even before the tenth century, the great belief systems of Chinese civilization, Confusianism, Buddhism, and Daoism— represented here by these figures playing Chinese chess—were viewed as mutually complementary and inextricably linked to the same goal. The so-called Three Teachings was a popular theme in tenth- to thirteenth-century paintings.

Currently not on view

Object Details

Title:

Pillow with Confucian Scholar, Buddhist Monk, and Daoist Priest

Date:

1178

Artist:

Artist/maker unknown, Chinese

Medium:

Stoneware with underglaze slip decoration; Cizhou ware

Dimensions:

3 7/8 × 10 15/16 × 7 11/16 inches (9.8 × 27.8 × 19.5 cm)

Classification:

Furniture/Furnishings

Credit Line:

Gift of Mrs. Carroll S. Tyson, 1957

Accession Number:

1957-26-1

Geography:

Made in Xiawu, Henan Province, China, Asia

Context:

Dynasty: Jin Dynasty (1115-1234) Period: Dading Period (1161-89)

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Currently not on view