Lot #51: A beautiful republic period Chinese famille rose porcelain pillow with 'Ju Ren Tang Zhi' mark

A beautiful republic period Chinese famille rose porcelain pillow with 'Ju Ren Tang Zhi' mark 民国粉彩居仁堂制款 瓷枕 Possibly republic period Decorated with Phoenix and Peony, as well as peoms. Bottom red mark: Ju Ren Tang Zhi 居仁堂制 Overall good condition Primary Historical Uses: 1. Cooling Aid for Sleep: In the scorching, humid summer months of China, porcelain provided immediate physical relief. The ceramic stays naturally cold to the touch, and because these pillows are entirely hollow inside, air flows freely through the vent holes on the sides, helping cool down the sleeper’s neck and head. 2. Preserving Complex Hairstyles: Historically, both upper-class Chinese women and men wore highly elaborate, greased, or tightly bound updos and topknots that took a massive amount of time to style. The rigid, curved shape of the porcelain pillow supported the neck rather than the head, suspending the hair safely off the mattress and preventing it from becoming messy or ruined overnight. 3. Valuables Safeguard ("贴身夹万"): Because these pillows are hollow rectangular boxes, travelers and wealthy households used them as a secure night safe. People would slide precious jewelry, paper currency, or purses inside the side opening before laying their head down. A thief would be unable to pull items out without physically waking the sleeping owner. L: 13 inches / 33 cm Dimensions: L: 13 inches / 33 c Pickup category timeslot {B}