The Barlow Collection
A select catalogue of the Barlow collection of Chinese Ceramics, Bronzes and Jades by the University of Sussex (published Sussex, 2006).
Publications online: 456 objects
Wrist pillow with a deer and two small boys
- loan
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Literature notes
Pillows of this small size are believed to have been used for resting the hand on while taking the pulse. The inscription of the present piece states that it was ‘respectfully made on the auspcious first day of the eighth lunar month in the autumn of the jiashen year of the Tonghe period by the Military Commissioner of Chengde and … of the Chief Administrative Office of the Auxiliary Palace, Liu Chenggui, for the Treasury of the Palace Medical Service of the Chongde Palace.
Other pillows with a different design are known to have been commissioned by the same official for the same Palace in the following year.
The rectangular piece has straight sides and base, and a concave top. The top is engraved with a spotted deer lead on a leash by a small boy, with another boy following with a lotus pod. The boys are depicted with a large head with big eyes and little hair, wearing short jackets, trousers and a pearl string around the neck, the second one captured in an animated pose, as if dancing. The deer carries a tablet on a flower-decorated saddlecloth, inscribed with the wish chang shou (‘extended long life’) between a lotus flower and leaf. The whole scene appears against a ground with triple ring motifs and is enclosed by a single line. The front and back show a pair of spotted deer among simple serrated leafy plants, the sides a double vajra (Buddhist thunderbolt) motif and floral corner designs. The base is engraved with a 36-character inscription. -
Details
- Associated place
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Asia › China › Liaoning province (place of creation)
- Date
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AD 984
Liao Dynasty (AD 907 - 1125)
- Material and technique
- silver, with incised decoration
- Dimensions
- 5.1 x 11.6 x 7.8 cm (height x width x depth)
- Material index
- Technique index
- Object type index
- No. of items
- 1
- Credit line
- Lent by the Sir Alan Barlow Collection Trust.
- Accession no.
- LI1301.35
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Further reading
University of Sussex, and Arts and Humanities Research Council, The Barlow Collection, supervised by Regina Krahl, Maurice Howard, and Aiden Leeves (Sussex: University of Sussex, 2006), no. P2
Location
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- currently in research collection
Objects are sometimes moved to a different location. Our object location data is usually updated on a monthly basis. Contact the Jameel Study Centre if you are planning to visit the museum to see a particular object on display, or would like to arrange an appointment to see an object in our reserve collections.
Publications online
-
The Barlow Collection
Pillows of this small size are believed to have been used for resting the hand on while taking the pulse. The inscription of the present piece states that it was ‘respectfully made on the auspcious first day of the eighth lunar month in the autumn of the jiashen year of the Tonghe period by the Military Commissioner of Chengde and … of the Chief Administrative Office of the Auxiliary Palace, Liu Chenggui, for the Treasury of the Palace Medical Service of the Chongde Palace.
Other pillows with a different design are known to have been commissioned by the same official for the same Palace in the following year.
The rectangular piece has straight sides and base, and a concave top. The top is engraved with a spotted deer lead on a leash by a small boy, with another boy following with a lotus pod. The boys are depicted with a large head with big eyes and little hair, wearing short jackets, trousers and a pearl string around the neck, the second one captured in an animated pose, as if dancing. The deer carries a tablet on a flower-decorated saddlecloth, inscribed with the wish chang shou (‘extended long life’) between a lotus flower and leaf. The whole scene appears against a ground with triple ring motifs and is enclosed by a single line. The front and back show a pair of spotted deer among simple serrated leafy plants, the sides a double vajra (Buddhist thunderbolt) motif and floral corner designs. The base is engraved with a 36-character inscription.
Notice
Object information may not accurately reflect the actual contents of the original publication, since our online objects contain current information held in our collections database. Click on 'buy this publication' to purchase printed versions of our online publications, where available, or contact the Jameel Study Centre to arrange access to books on our collections that are now out of print.
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