Yongle sweet white ware

Ceramic white ware reaches its height in the reign of Yongle of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). Semi-bodiless porcelain fired by Yongle guan kilns at that time are called as "sweet white porcelain" because: the body is light and thin; the glaze color is bight and smooth; the degree of whiteness is just perfect; and it presents a color of incarnadine when facing light for perspective. Because Yongle sweet white ware enjoys extremely high reputation, so there are mimics afterwards. But only when the true ware faces light for perspective, its body glaze, no matter thin or thick glaze, will present a color of incarnadine or pink. The mimics in the Qing (1616-1911) Dynasty will present a color of cyan and show transparent and bright when facing light for perspective.

Sweet white pear-shaped bottle with veiled phoenix design

Collected in Tianjin Arts Museum, the piece is made in the reign of Yongle of the Ming Dynasty, 34.5cm in total height, 5.5cm in caliber. It has small mouth, short neck and round shoulder. The whole body is applied with white glaze, the glaze layer is plump, pure, as warm and humid as jade. The whole utensil is applied with veiled interlocking peony design. Set off by white glaze, the peony design looks like the moon in water and flower in mirror.

Sweet white pear-shaped bottle with veiled phoenix design

Collected in Yangzhou Museum, the piece is made in the Reign of Yongle of the Ming Dynasty, 12.5cm in height, 4cm in caliber. It has semi-ball lump and tower-shaped button. The bottle has straight mouth, broad and round belly, slightly high ring foot. Two symmetrical thin and long pipe-shaped running of glaze and winding handle are placed on two sides of its belly. There is one small round button on the handle, which is corresponding to the button on the lid. Four lines of moving clouds are cut on its shoulder, a pair of phoenix on its belly, which are opening wings and looking backward.

Xing Ware, as white as Silver and Snow
Black porcelain made by Deqing ware