Yongle and Hongxi period (1403—1425): Peak time of the exchange between China and the West

10 avril 2017

Yongle and Hongxi period (1403—1425): Peak time of the exchange between China and the West

During the Yongle period, Great prosperity of the Royal kilns in Jingdezheng resulted from a powerful Empire at that time. They produced sweet white, blue-and-white, red glaze and other distinctive kinds of their time. Among them, the sweet white style deeply favored by the Yongle Emperor has sophisticated technique and can be called a unique and exquisite type in that time; the blue-and-white style has distinctive decorations by using the imported cobalt blue-sumali; red-glazed style and other high-temperature-fired single-color wares are masterpieces made by the craftsmen in Yongle period with their bold explorations and trials. Besides, extensive exchange with foreign countries bring them knowledge and examples of metals, ceramics and glass wares from Islamic countries. The imperial porcelains made in Yongle period also started to have the reign title painted in the product, which was the forerunner of "private customization" called by later generations.

Sweet-white long-necked vase with dishlike mouth and animal ears, Yongle period (1403-1424). Diameter of mouth 15.6; diameter of belly 29.5cm; diameter of bottom 17.5cm; height 78. Unearthed from Zhushan in 1983. Collected by Jingdezhen Ceramics Archaeology Research Institute.

Sweet-white vase in the shape of a prune, Yongle period (1403-1424). Diameter of mouth 6.3cm; diameter of belly 24cm; diameter of bottom 15.8cm; height 33.9. Unearthed from Zhushan in 1983. Collected by Jingdezhen Ceramics Archaeology Research Institute.

White-glazed flat vase with the relief decoration of a heart, Yongle period (1403-1424). Diameter of mouth 7.2cm; diameter of belly 13.9cm; diameter of bottom 7.1cm; height 19cm. Collected by Jingdezhen Ceramics Archaeology Research Institute.

Sweet-white ewer in the shape of a monk's cap with the design of flowers, Yongle period (1403-1424). Diameter of mouth 15.9cm; diameter of belly 14cm; diameter of bottom 7.5cm; height 19.3cm. Unearthed from Zhushan in 1983. Collected by Jingdezhen Ceramics Archaeology Research Institute.

White-glazed ewer with straight neck and rectangular body, Yongle period (1403-1424). Diameter of mouth 7.1cm; diameter of belly 17.5cm; diameter of bottom 11.1cm; height 32.6cm. Unearthed from Zhushan in 1983. Collected by Jingdezhen Ceramics Archaeology Research Institute.

Sweet white ewer with angular shoulder and large belly, Yongle period (1403-1424). Diameter of mouth 10cm; diameter of belly 19.5cm; diameter of bottom 12cm; height 29.4. Unearthed from Zhushan in 1983. Collected by Jingdezhen Ceramics Archaeology Research Institute.

Sweet-white pear-shaped ewer with the design of dragon and clouds, Yongle period (1403-1424). Diameter of mouth 3.7cm; diameter of belly 8.4cm; diameter of 5.6cm; height 12.5; Collected by Jingdezhen Ceramics Archaeology Research Institute.

White-glazed jar with single handle, Yongle period (1403-1424). Diameter of mouth 7.9cm; diameter of belly 12.5cm; diameter of bottom 3.8cm; height 13.5cm. Unearthed from Zhushan in 1983. Collected by Jingdezhen Ceramics Archaeology Research Institute.

Sweet-white covered container with double earrings, Yongle period (1403-1424). Diameter of mouth 26.8cm; diameter of belly 28.1cm; diameter of bottom 15.6cm; height 19.4cm. Collected by Jingdezhen Ceramics Archaeology Research Institute.

White-glazed connecting vessel with three jars, Yongle period (1403-1424). Diameter of mouth 8.7cm; height 31.2cm. Unearthed from Zhushan in 1983. Collected by Jingdezhen Ceramics Archaeology Research Institute.

White-glazed covered container 'dou', Yongle period (1403-1424). Diameter of mouth 7.4cm; diameter of belly 9.7cm; diameter of bottom 6.5cm; height 13.2cm. Collected by Jingdezhen Ceramics Archaeology Research Institute.

Sweet-white wine vessel 'jue', Yongle period (1403-1424). Diameter of mouth 15.2cm; height 11.2cm. Unearthed from Zhushan in 1983. Collected by Jingdezhen Ceramics Archaeology Research Institute.

White-glazed octagonal candle holder, Yongle period (1403-1424). Diameter of mouth 8.3cm; diameter of bottom 22.2cm; height 29cm. Unearthed from Zhushan in 1983. Collected by Jingdezhen Ceramics Archaeology Research Institute.

White-glazed holy-water vase, Yongle period (1403-1424). Diameter of mouth 6.6cm; diameter of belly 10.5cm; diameter of bottom 9.9cm; height 20.9. Unearthed from Zhushan in 1983. Collected by Jingdezhen Ceramics Archaeology Research Institute.

White-glazed tripod seat with the relief decoration of lotus flowers, Yongle period (1403-1424). Diameter of 12.3cm; diameter of belly 20.1cm; height 19.3cm. Unearthed from Zhushan in 1983. Collected by Jingdezhen Ceramics Archaeology Research Institute.

Blue-and-white pear-shaped vase with the design of flowers, Yongle period (1403-1424). Diameter of mouth 9cm; diameter of belly 20.2cm; diameter of bottom 11.8cm; height 34cm. Unearthed from Zhushan in 1994. Collected by Jingdezhen Ceramics Archaeology Research Institute.

Blue-and-white pear-shaped vase with the design of five dragons, Yongle period (1403-1424). Diameter of mouth 6.2cm; diameter of belly 16.5cm; diameter of bottom 9.2cm; height 26.9. Unearthed from Zhushan in 1984. Collected by Jingdezhen Ceramics Archaeology Research Institute.

Blue-and-white prune-shaped vase with white dragon and phoenix against blue background, Yongle period (1403-1424). Diameter of mouth 7.6cm; diameter of bottom 17.4cm; height 41cm. Unearthed from Zhushan in 1999. Collected by Jingdezhen Ceramics Archaeology Research Institute.

Blue-and-white pear-shaped vase with flaring bottom and the design of waves and white dragon, Yongle period (1403-1424). Diameter of mouth 9cm; diameter of belly 26.5cm; diameter of bottom 18.6cm; height 40cm. Unearthed from Zhushan in 1994. Collected by Jingdezhen Ceramics Archaeology Research Institute.

Blue-and-white ewer with the design of fruits and flowers, Yongle period(1403-1424). Diameter of mouth 7.5cm; diameter of bottom 10.5cm; height 30.6cm; diameter of belly 18.4cm. Unearthed from Zhushan in 1994. Collected by Jingdezhen Ceramics Archaeology Research Institute.

Blue-and-white flat vase with double ears and the design of plucked flowers, Yongle period (1403-1424). Diameter of mouth 3.2cm; diameter of belly 23.7cm; diameter of bottom 12.5cm; height 28.5cm. Unearthed from Zhushan in 1994. Collected by Jingdezhen Ceramics Archaeology Research Institute.

Blue-and-white flat vase with the design of waves and white dragons, Yongle period (1403-1424) .Diameter of mouth 8.2cm; Diameter of bottom 14.5cm; height 45cm. Collected by Jingdezhen Ceramics Archaeology Research Institute.

Blue-and-white flat vase with the design in Islamic style, Yongle period (1403-1424). Diameter of mouth 3.3cm; diameter of belly 21.3cm; diameter of bottom 6.8cm; height 30.2cm. Unearthed from Zhushan in 1994. Collected by Jingdezhen Ceramics Archaeology Research Institute.

Blue-and-white flat vase with the design in Islamic style, Yongle period (1403-1424). Diameter of mouth 3.3cm; diameter of belly 21.5; diameter of bottom 6.6*4.8cm; height 32cm. Collected by Hunan provincial shop of cultural relics.

Blue-and-white three-footed censer with double ears and the design of waves and mountains, Yongle period (1403-1424). Diameter of mouth 39cm; diameter of belly 48.4cm; height 60cm; width between two ears 58.5cm. Unearthed from Zhushan in 1994. Collected by Jingdezhen Ceramics Archaeology Research Institute.

Blue-and-white jar with the design of blue dragons against white waves, Yongle period (1403-1424). Diameter of mouth 13.8cm; diameter of belly 29.3cm; diameter of bottom 19.9cm; height 34cm. Unearthed from Zhushan in 1994. Collected by Jingdezhen Ceramics Archaeology Research Institute.

Blue-and-white covered jar with the design of dragons, Yongle period (1403-1424). Diameter of mouth 17.4cm; diameter of belly 29.7cm; diameter of bottom 18.8cm; height 31.5cm. Unearthed from Zhushan in 1994. Collected by Jingdezhen Ceramics Archaeology Research Institute.

Blue-and-white covered round container with the design of plucked flowers, Yongle period (1403-1424). Diameter of mouth 21.8cm; diameter of bottom 16.7cm; height 14cm; diameter of belly 25.8. Unearthed from Zhushan in 1994. Collected by Jingdezhen Ceramics Archaeology Research Institute.

Blue-and-white bowl with the design in Islamic style, Yongle period (1403-1424). Diameter of mouth 15.4cm; diameter of bottom 4.8cm; height 5.7cm. Collected by Jingdezhen Ceramics Archaeology Research Institute.

Blue-and-white bowl with the design of lotus flowers, Yongle period (1403-1424). Diameter of mouth 21.5cm; diameter of bottom7.6cm; height 10.2cm. Unearthed from Zhushan in 1994. Collected by Jingdezhen Ceramics Archaeology Research Institute.

Blue-and-white bowl with the design of lotus flowers, Yongle period (1403-1424). Diameter of mouth 19.9cm; diameter of bottom 9.3cm; height 9cm. Collected by Hunan Provincial Museum.

Blue-and-white high-stemmed cup with the design of clouds and phoenix, Yongle period (1403-1424). Diameter of mouth 14cm; diameter of bottom 4.1cm; height 11.6cm. Unearthed from Zhushan in 1984. Collected by Jingdezhen Ceramics Archaeology Research Institute.

Blue-and-white plate with foliated edge and the design of twin lotus flowers, Yongle period (1403-1424). Diameter of mouth 40.4cm; diameter of bottom 28.3cm; height 7.4cm. Unearthed from Zhushan in 1994. Collected by Jingdezhen Ceramics Archaeology Research Institute.

Blue-and-white plate with foliated edge and the design of interlocking sprays, Yongle period (1403-1424). Diameter of mouth 41.3cm; diameter of bottom 27.5cm; height 7.5cm. Unearthed from Zhushan in 1994. Collected by Jingdezhen Ceramics Archaeology Research Institute.

Blue-and-white plate with foliated edge and the design of fruits and flowers, Yongle period (1403-1424). Diameter of mouth 33.6cm; diameter of bottom 20.5cm; height 6.5cm. Unearthed from Zhushan in 1994. Collected by Jingdezhen Ceramics Archaeology Research Institute.

Blue-and-white plate with foliated edge and the design of peony, Yongle period (1403-1424). Diameter of mouth 43.5cm; diameter of bottom 28.1cm; height 7.5cm. Unearthed from Zhushan in 1988. Collected by Jingdezhen Ceramics Archaeology Research Institute.

Blue-and-white plate with the design of lake, rocks and flowers, Yongle period (1403-1424). Diameter of mouth 68.3cm; diameter of bottom 53.6cm; height 8.7cm. Unearthed from Zhushan in 1994. Collected by Jingdezhen Ceramics Archaeology Research Institute.

Blue-and-white plate with the design of pines, Yongle period (1403-1424). Diameter of mouth 41cm; diameter of bottom 28.5cm; height 7.2cm0 Unearthed from Zhushan in 1994. Collected by Jingdezhen Ceramics Archaeology Research Institute.

Blue-and-white plate with a handful of lotus flowers, Yongle period (1403-1424). Diameter of mouth 32cm; diameter of bottom 22.9cm; height 5.6cm. Unearthed from Zhushan in 1994. Collected by Jingdezhen Ceramics Archaeology Research Institute..

Blue-and-white plate with a handful of lotus flowers, Yongle period (1403-1424). Diameter of mouth 31.9cm; diameter of bottom 23.3cm; height 5.6cm. Collected by Hunan Provincial Museum.

Blue-and-white plate with the design of double peaches, Yongle period (1403-1424). Diameter of mouth 32cm; diameter of bottom 22.5cm; height 5.3cm. Unearthed from Zhushan in 1994. Collected by Jingdezhen Ceramics Archaeology Research Institute.

Blue-and-white spoon with Sanskrit scripts, Yongle period (1403-1424). Length 33.5cm; width at most 9.4cm. Unearthed from Zhushan in 1984. Collected by Jingdezhen Ceramics Archaeology Research Institute.

Blue-and-white wine vessel 'jue' and its stand with the design of waves and dragon, Yongle period (1403-1424). Diameter of mouth 21cm; height 7.8cm. Unearthed from Zhushan in 1999. Collected by Jingdezhen Ceramics Archaeology Research Institute.

Blue-and-white teacup and its saucer with the design of interlocking branches of flowers, Yongle period (1403-1424). Diameter of cup mouth 9cm; diameter of cup bottom 4.2cm; height of cup 3.7cm; Diameter of saucer mouth 19.3cm; diameter of saucer bottom 12.3cm; height of saucer 2.1cm. Unearthed from Zhushan in 1994. Collected by Jingdezhen Ceramics Archaeology Research Institute.

Prune-shaped vase with the design of under-glazed red dragon against blue waves and white background, Yongle period (1403-1424). Diameter of mouth 6.7cm; diameter of bottom 15.9cm; height 34.1cm. Unearthed from Zhushan in 2003. Collected by Jingdezhen Ceramics Archaeology Research Institute.

Under-glazed red and prune-shaped vase with the design of dragons among clouds, Yongle period (1403-1424). Diameter of mouth 6.6cm; diameter of bottom 15.7cm; height 33.6cm. Unearthed from Zhushan in 2003. Collected by Jingdezhen Ceramics Archaeology Research Institute.

Red-glazed ewer with the cover in the shape of a monk's cap, Yongle period (1403-1424). Diameter of mouth 11.2cm; diameter of bottom 8cm; height 19cm. Unearthed from Zhushan in 2002. Collected by Jingdezhen Ceramics Archaeology Research Institute.

Pear-shaped ewer with green-glazed dragon against yellow background, Yongle period (1403-1424). Diameter of mouth 3.9cm; diameter of belly 8.5cm; diameter of bottom 5.6cm; height 12.4cm. Collected by Jingdezhen Ceramics Archaeology Research Institute.

Black-glazed three-footed censer with double ears, Yongle period (1403-1424). Diameter of mouth 12.8cm; height 11.6cm. Unearthed from Zhushan in 1999. Collected by Jingdezhen Ceramics Archaeology Research Institute.

Bowl with the design of brown dragons, Yongle period (1403-1424). Diameter of mouth 20.8cm; diameter of bottom 8.6cm; height 9.2cm. Collected by Jingdezhen Ceramics Archaeology Research Institute.

Under-glazed red high-stemmed cup with the design of animals among waves, Yongle period (1403-1424). Diameter of mouth 15.2cm; diameter of bottom 4.2cm; height 109cm. Unearthed from Zhushan in 1983. Collected by Jingdezhen Ceramics Archaeology Research Institute.

Under-glazed red pencil box with the design of plum flowers and bamboo, Yongle period (1403-1424). Length 31.8cm; width 7.2cm; height 8.2cm. Unearthed from Zhushan in 1984. Collected by Jingdezhen Ceramics Archaeology Research Institute.

Cup stand with the design of green plants and bamboos, Yongle period (1403-1424). Diameter of mouth 25cm; diameter of bottom 16.5cm; height 8.5cm. Unearthed from Zhushan in 1994. Collected by Jingdezhen Ceramics Archaeology Research Institute.

White bowl with contracted mouth and the design of golden flowers, Yongle period (1403-1424). Diameter of mouth 24.5cm; diameter of belly 25.8cm; height 13.8. Unearthed from Zhushan in 1994. Collected by Jingdezhen Ceramics Archaeology Research Institute.