MING Dynasty (1368-1644 CE)
A period of stability and global trade expansion, the Ming Dynasty witnessed the construction of the Forbidden City, as well as the completion and fortification of the Great Wall of China. It also saw the rise of China’s iconic blue and white porcelain, which was produced in stunning quantities and exported primarily through naval expeditions launched to showcase Ming power and extend China’s influence.
Metalcraft also flourished during this time. Bronzes from the imperial workshops of the Xuande era (1426–1435), especially incense burners, are regarded as the finest examples of Ming metalwork. Bronze scholar’s objects, including paperweights, Buddhist and Daoist figures, and hand warmers, held not only practical and decorative value but also deep artistic and cultural significance. In his guide to the genteel lifestyle, the scholar Wen Zhenheng (1585–1645) praised the patina and forms of other bronze forms produced during this time, from vases to other vessels such as goblets, wine jars and flower vases.