Headrest with Three Lions

A sancai-glazed earthenware headrest in green, amber and cream, its curved top carved with a scrolling floral pattern. Three lion figures support it, two large heads with bared teeth at either end and a smaller crouching lion between them, with a tasseled cloth or ribbon draped across the base.

Look closer: A small crouching lion sits between the two large lion heads, partly hidden under the top plate.

Artist

Unknown

Date

916–1125

Medium

Glazed earthenware, sancai (three-color ware)

Source

The Cleveland Museum of Art

Size

3400 × 2108 px

Credit (appreciated, not required for public-domain works): The Cleveland Museum of Art, Gift of Donna and James Reid