The Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368) witnessed the groundbreaking introduction of blue and white porcelain. This article explores its robust forms, innovative designs, and lasting global impact, highlighting its revolutionary significance in the history of ceramics.
The Yuan Dynasty was established by the Mongol Empire, and this period of Mongol rule had a subtle yet significant impact on the development of Chinese ceramics, particularly in terms of its trade networks and the cultural exchange that occurred during this period, and the influence of the Mongol Empire is visible in various aspects of the production and design of Yuan pottery.
One of the defining characteristics of Yuan Dynasty ceramics is their large scale. Many pieces, particularly those produced for export or for use in large public settings, were made in impressive sizes that were much larger than those of the preceding Song Dynasty. The larger pieces show a different approach to production and a change in aesthetic sensibility.