Ming Gap and the Revival of Commercial Production of Blue and White Porcelain in China

Abstract

This paper lists the blue and white porcelains excavated with date inscriptions or from datable tombs in China and shows that there was a ‘Ming Gap’ of blue and white porcelain in China too. Previously, Ming Gap was thought to be restricted to Southeast Asia. This author argues that no blue and white porcelain was allowed to produce in commercial kilns in early Ming Dynasty. But, when the needed raw material, cobalt--which relied on trade in the time of Ming Ban--could be produced locally, the commercial production of blue and white porcelain restarted.