Chinese Lacquer Pillow

Scarlet with scuffs, black end caps, and a wistful sag across the top.

This lacquerware pillow is from Shanxi Province, China, and dates to the 20th century. Shanxi Province in northern China has a long history of craft production, including lacquer, woodwork and ceramics made for household and market use. A wide, low form with a concave top edge and softly curved corners, painted bright red with black ends. The red is chipped and rubbed, showing pale flecks and thin scratches along the middle. It is 15 inches wide, 5 deep and 5 high.

Well scuffed, well loved, and not at all sorry.