Monday, October 1, 2018

Chinese Pillow Book, China, nd (contemporary)


I purchased this "Chinese Pillow Book" on a whim when I came across it for sale on Etsy for $33. What I received was a contemporary pillow book constructed from sturdy pages that features reproductions of 5 paintings illustrating different sexual positions and scenarios, including one threesome. Historically pillow books appear to have been given to future daughters-in-laws by mother-in-laws on their wedding days. The books served as a kind of sexual manual for the new bride. The tradition is a long one and they can be found in India and Nepal as well other countries. Other types of pillow books move beyond being sexual manuals and are created as places of intimacy in which the writers feel safe to reveal deeply private feelings and experiences. 

8 pages, 7.5" (h) x 4.5" (w), when open 28".