The Historical Progression of Blue-and-White Porcelain Becoming the Core Product of Jingdezhen and a Global Commodity Seen through the Archaeological Record

GAO Xianping1*, Qinzhe Aib2, Justin Ching3, and QIN Dashu4

Blue-and-white porcelain is Jingdezhen’s signature product, and a world-renowned commodity. Although late Yuan Dynasty (1330s-1350s) blue-and-white porcelain reflected upon innovations seen in artistic techniques and product development, they also caught the attention of ceramic researchers around the world. However, new archaeological statistics show Yuan Dynasty blue-and-white ceramics finds only constituted around 5% and no more than 10%, with most finds being whitewares. It wasn’t until the mid-15th century when blue-and-white finds first exceeded 50% and became Jingdezhen’s core product. By the Age of Discovery, it became a key product of global trade and stirred up a century-lasting trend of blue.