Dish, China, Jiangxi province, Jingdezhen, Ming dynasty (1368-1644), Chenghua mark and period (1465-1487). Porcelain with yellow glaze. Diameter: 21.5 cm (8 7/16 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Bequest of Mrs. Severance A. Millikin 1989.288.

Former director Sherman Lee stressed the significance of technical innovation in his study of Chinese ceramics. He believed that "in the great Chinese [ceramic] tradition one can say that its major theme is the development and refinement of monochrome stoneware and porcelain . . . [E]ven in the Ming and Qing dynasties, equal attention was given to monochrome reds and yellows." This masterpiece of Ming monochrome ware was part of the Millikins' generous bequest, one that significantly augmented the museum's already strong holdings of Chinese ceramics. Lee pointed out that with this bequest the museum's collection is "reasonably complete and, even better, represented by works of high quality."