Pillow with boy on hobbyhorse 12th - 13th century

Editor: Here we have a ceramic pillow, dated to the 12th or 13th century, entitled "Pillow with boy on hobbyhorse," currently housed at The Met. It was created in the Zhang family workshop. The pillow's simple design with monochrome illustration, yet whimsical subject, evokes an innocence about childhood, and makes me wonder, what sort of comfort or reflection was this supposed to give? Curator: What a find! It's more than a simple support for the head; it's a glimpse into a medieval dreamscape. Look at the boy on the hobbyhorse. Isn’t it amazing? In that era, ceramic pillows weren't just functional items; they were often status symbols. To me, the boy evokes ideas about prosperity, even, dare I say it, Confucian ideals of virtuous governance. Editor: I didn't quite consider that, I focused too much on the idea of a child. Do you think this pillow was custom-made or widely available to purchase? Curator: Now that is a really good question! Mass production back then wasn't what we know today. Something this detailed? Probably commissioned by someone with a bit of coin, looking for a good night's sleep filled with aspirations, hopes, and maybe a little nod to what was valued at the time. I wonder what they dreamt about. Editor: Imagining the original owner’s dreams does add another layer to it! It is now more than just child's play, it has now become a societal artifact, a conversation piece between me, you and a dreamer from the 12th Century! Curator: Absolutely! It's about childhood, status, dreams, and a culture long past. That boy on his hobbyhorse? He's off on a journey through time. And so are we now.