Chinese Leather Pillow

A deep maroon bolster with red end bands and faint scratched lines along its side.

This lacquered leather and rattan pillow is from Shanxi Province, China, and dates to the late 19th century. Lacquer is made from the sap of the lacquer tree, and layers applied over leather or wood harden into a smooth, durable and water-resistant surface. A long rectangular block with a curved profile, dark reddish brown along the body and glossy bright red at the ends. Fine incised marks run along one side, and the finish is smooth with small signs of wear. It is 10.5 inches wide, 4 deep and 4.5 high.

Solemn in color, but red at the ends, just in case.