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Any feedback on this purchased mid-1990s in China? Year, origin, value? Thank you ...

In my opinion, the figural painting style, particularly the 'Barbie-doll' faces of the women, is a late Republic to early People's Republic (mid-20th century) trait, which belies the mark in red, stating "Made in the Qianlong Reign of the Great Qing Dynasty".

As to value, I don't own anything comparable to this pillow period-wise, but I was in Asia during the early 90s and know that Mainland Chinese products like this in economically more competitive areas such as Hong Kong were always less expensive than in Mainland China, especially compared to items bought on the Mainland in so-called "Friendship Stores".

Best regards,

Bill H.

Bill,

Thank you for your insight!

Follow up question - do any of these closer shots sway you in a different direction or further confirm your opinion?

Thank you.

Thanks. The better views mainly tend to confirm my opinion that your pillow was painted by someone trained at least a generation later than the traditional artists who were producing this kind of porcelain art when the Qing Dynasty ended in 1911. By way of comparison, here's a Republic-era pillow probably made about the 1920's. Really a significant difference in fidelity to the traditional style, I think.

Dimensions are 8 3/8" long, 3 1/8" thick and ends vary between 5" and 5 1/4".

Best regards,

Bill H/

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