Ming Chenghua ci qi te zhan

Abstract

"During the Hung-wu reign (1368-1369) the methods of potting and firing used at the Ching-te-chen kilns remained the same as those employed in the preceding era. Changes were introduced in the Yung-lo (1403-1424) period, and greater changes occured during the Hsüan-te period (1426-1435). However, it was the Ch'eng-hua period in the middle of the Ming dynasty that witnessed the most brilliant innovations. The Ch'eng-hua emperor was only sixteen when he ascended the throne, and the twenty-three years of his rule (1465-1487) were greatly influenced by his very powerful mistress Wan Kuei-fei (萬貴妃). Her extravagant and expensive tastes quite likely influenced the delicate shapes, graceful designs and soft colors of Ch'eng-hua porcelain."