Blue and White Porcelain is probably the most celebrated of all Ceramic Art styles ever produced, or at least the continuing outrageous enthusiasm of auction buyers gives this impression. 

Known as "Qinghua" in China, the style was well developed by the Yuan Dynasty (1271 - 1368) but became world famous during the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644).  Even today, many people use the terms Ming and Blue and White synonymously.  The decorative style became the standard for Imperial Porcelain production in China and was much revered throughout Southeast Asia and the Middle-East because of vast trade networks existing since ancient times.

The western affection for Blue and White Porcelain began in 1603 when the Dutch East India Company sent a single ship to Amsterdam with a load of the "Chinese White Gold."  It was sold for a colossal profit and the rest of Europe soon caught on.  The affection for Blue and White Porcelain continues relentlessly today. 

The center of production of Underglaze Blue Ceramics in China was Jingdezhen in Jianxi Province.  It was here that ample raw materials (such as 2 mountains of white kaolin clay) were available.  Chinese potters developed the technique of painting blue cobalt oxide on white clay and spraying a coating of clear glaze over top.  When heated in a kiln at high temperature, the ceramic and its decoration can remain in mint condition for centuries even if buried underwater or underground. 

Although imperial kilns in the Jingdezhen area were important, other locations such as Shantou (Swatow), Dehua and other parts of Fujian province also produced tradeware Porcelain that is found throughout Southeast Asia.

Double-Gourd Kendi Ewer 

CERAMIC ARTIFACT #bw-0001b08

DESCRIPTION:

The Blue and White Ewer (water jug) is bulbous shaped in a traditional kendi style.  It is decorated with a brilliant lotus scroll and women-in-garden scenes that cover most of the main body.  Inside the upper rim are Buddhist prosperity symbols.  The piece is recovered from a shipwreck excavation and some coral and shellfish encrustations are apparent -- easily removable with a mild acidic bath but left on for aesthetic purposes. 

ORIGIN:

The artifact was produced in China, probably in the city of Jingdezhen of Jiangxi province.  It was brought to Southeast Asia as a valuable trade-good by an ancient Chinese or Spanish trading ship that later sunk into the sea.  After many centuries, the piece was rediscovered by deep-sea excavators of the shipwreck and subsequently acquired by The Chalre Collection through a registered dealer. 

AGE:

Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644), possibly during the era of Emperor Wanli (1573 - 1620)

MEASUREMENTS:

Height: 25cm (10in.)

Width or Depth: 18.5cm (7.25in.)

REFERENCES:

Similar or identical artifacts are found in various Ceramic Art publications.  Some of these include: Blue and White Wares Found in the Philippines, Chinese Ceramics, Chinese Blue and White Porcelain, Blue and White Chinese Porcelain, Blue and White Porcelains of the Ming Dynasty, Porcelain of Ming Dynasty Book I, Blue and White Porcelain of the Palace Museum Book I and Zhangzhou Ware.  

Other similar or identical examples can be found in publications dealing specifically with ancient shipwrecks excavations.  Good examples are Lost At Sea: The Lena Shoal Junk and The Pearl Road: Tales of Treasure Ships.

Similar and/or identical items are also on display at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London (UK), the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco (USA), the National Museum of Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur), the National Museum of the Philippines (Manila) and other museums throughout the world with diverse collections of Asian ceramics.