Chinese Powder Blue and Gilt Covered Vases

• Ming Dynasty - The Ming Dynasty was a ruling dynasty of China from 1368 to 1644. It succeeded the Yuan Dynasty and preceded the Qing Dynasty. The Ming Dynasty was established by Zhu Yuanzhang, a former Buddhist monk who became a rebel leader and eventually overthrew the Mongol Yuan Dynasty. During the Ming Dynasty, China experienced a period of relative stability and prosperity. The government was centralized and bureaucratic, with the emperor at the top of the hierarchy. The Ming Dynasty is known for its cultural achievements, including the development of porcelain, the invention of movable type printing, and the construction of the Great Wall of China.
  
  

• Powder-Blue - Powder-blue, also known as "Jingdezhen blue" or "suffuse blue," is a captivating decorative technique used in Chinese ceramics from the 15th to the 19th centuries. Its name aptly reflects the application method, where finely ground cobalt oxide is dusted onto the ceramic surface, creating a soft, ethereal blue hue. The uneven dusting results in soft gradations of blue, with darker spots around contours and lighter areas on flat surfaces. The blue often appears translucent, allowing the underlying clay colour to subtly influence the final shade.
  
  Powder-blue was primarily used on porcelain, particularly in high-end pieces produced in Jingdezhen, the famed porcelain capital of China, but its popularity declined in the latter part of the 19th century.
• Qing Dynasty - The Qing Dynasty was the last imperial dynasty of China, ruling from 1644 to 1912. It was established by the Manchu people, who originated from the northeastern region of China. The Qing Dynasty was preceded by the Ming Dynasty and followed by the Republic of China.

This item has been included into following indexes:

• Chinese ceramics, decoration - powder-blue 40
• Chinese ceramics, item type - vases, blue ground 133