The Chinese ceramics housed in the Palace Museum—unparalleled in volume, quality, and variety—are mainly inherited from the imperial collections of the Ming (1368–1644) and Qing (1644–1911) dynasties. This exhibition features over 100 representative Ming ceramic treasures from the collection of the Palace Museum. It is organised in three sections and explores the development and the outstanding achievements of ceramic production in form, glaze, and design in the early, mid-, and late Ming dynasty.
The Ming dynasty was a golden age of Chinese ceramics. The ceramics produced then are remarkable works of art, distinguished by their quality and diversity. They tell stories of the imperial court, technological advances, and cultural exchanges. Imperial kilns were founded at Jingdezhen in Jiangxi province in 1369 to produce pieces for the exclusive use of the court, which imposed strict control over the management of the kilns. As a result of imperial patronage, Ming emperors influenced porcelain production and style. Ming potters, continuing the legacy of their predecessors, perfected their craft and sought to break new ground. As powerful vehicles of cultural exchange, Ming ceramics were widely traded, admired, and copied, generating a craze for Chinese porcelains around the globe.