Ming Export

The Ming dynasty ruled China from 1368-1644, succeeding the Mongol Yuan dynasty. Despite the politics, a few artistic techniques from the West did manage to infiltrate China during this period, including cloisonné enamel. In the later years, the foundations were laid for the ever increasing trade in Chinese Export porcelain and lacquer that was made expressly for the European market. According to the Penguin Dictionary of Decorative Arts: “The general tendency in the art was towards increasing elaboration and this led eventually to an almost Victorian fussiness in metalwork, textiles and lacquer inlaid with mother-of-pearl. Porcelain ousted pottery in Mandarin houses. The finest dates from the earlier part of the period and includes some very beautiful and refined blue-and-white wares.”

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