Vintage Chinese Blue White Foo Dog Flower Brick Vase Frog Lid Opium Pillow

VINTAGE BLUE & WHITE CHINOISERIE FLOWER BRICK VASE - Fu Lion Foo Dog - Flower Frog

A classic 1970s-80s Chinese export porcelain flower brick. Rectangular pillow/brick form with removable pierced lid with 7 holes (1 large center + 6 small) for arranging small stems - perfect for ikebana, violets, or dried flowers.

This is NOT studio pottery - it's factory transferware, no artist name. These were made for export and often sold in gift shops as "Chinese Opium Pillow" or "Japanese Pillow Vase." That's why you see it listed both ways.

Pattern & Meaning:

• Central cartouche on all 4 sides with mythical Fu Lion / Foo Dog playing with brocade ball. As 1stDibs notes for this exact motif: the sides are decorated with two mythical fu lion cubs playing with a brocade ball, a motif that evokes the idiom "may you and your descendants achieve high rank." Also known as shizi or fu dogs, the mythical lions offer protection from misfortune and are benevolent guardians of the home. 

• Background of cracked-ice with plum blossoms (prunus) symbolizing winter / perseverance

• Greek key / meander border top and bottom

• Identified online as: Vintage Blue & White Chinese Porcelain Pillow Brick Headrest Box Pillow Guardian Lion Foo Dog Opium 

Details:

• Material: Porcelain, blue underglaze transfer print (not hand-painted), glazed inside

• Size: Approx. 5.5" Long x 2.75" Wide x 5" Tall with lid (see ruler photos - top of lid at 6.75" from table, base at ∼1.5")

• Lid: Removable, fits inside rim, pierced with 7 holes

• Marks: No factory mark, unmarked base - typical for 70s/80s export

• Origin: China - Chinese Blue & White export

Condition:

Very good vintage. No chips or cracks to body or lid. Light age staining / tea staining on rim and underside of lid (see photos 4 & 5) - can be cleaned or left as patina. Interior has light mineral deposits from use as vase. Please see all photos.

Perfect for chinoiserie shelf, grandmillennial decor, or to actually use as a flower frog. Also described as: A rectangular blue and white porcelain flower frog or brick hand-painted with a serene Chinese landscape