Guide to Types of Ming Dynasty Vases

The Ming Dynasty (1368–1644) is celebrated for its exceptional porcelain production, particularly its vases, which are admired for their craftsmanship, diverse shapes, and decorative techniques. This guide explores the major types of Ming Dynasty vases, focusing on their shapes, styles, and cultural significance, to help collectors, historians, and enthusiasts identify and appreciate these iconic artifacts.

Overview of Ming Dynasty Vases

• Era: 1368–1644, a period of innovation in Chinese ceramics.

• Materials: Primarily porcelain, with kaolin clay producing a durable, translucent body.

• Decorative Techniques: Blue-and-white underglaze, monochrome glazes, polychrome enamels, and incised designs.

• Uses: Ceremonial, decorative, and practical (e.g., for flowers or storage).

• Significance: Symbols of wealth, artistry, and cultural refinement, often exported globally.

Major Types of Ming Dynasty Vases by Shape

1. Meiping (Plum Vase)

• Description: A tall, elegant vase with a narrow base, broad shoulders, and a short, constricted neck.

• Dimensions: Typically 25–40 cm tall.

• Uses: Originally designed to hold a single plum blossom branch, symbolizing resilience.

• Styles:

  • Blue-and-white with floral or dragon motifs (e.g., Xuande period, 1426–1435).

  • Monochrome glazes like celadon or copper-red (e.g., Yongle period, 1403–1424).

• Notable Features: Graceful silhouette; often decorated to emphasize the curved shoulders.

• Example: Xuande-era blue-and-white meiping with lotus scrolls, prized for its vibrant cobalt.

2. Yuhuchunping (Pear-Shaped Vase)

• Description: A pear-shaped body with a slender neck flaring into a wide rim, resembling a pear or wine bottle.

• Dimensions: Usually 20–30 cm tall.

• Uses: Used for wine or as a decorative piece; later adapted for floral arrangements.

• Styles:

  • Blue-and-white with landscapes or figures (e.g., Jiajing period, 1522–1566).

  • Polychrome doucai (contrasting colors) with delicate patterns.

• Notable Features: Delicate proportions; the flared rim adds elegance.

• Example: Yongle-era yuhuchunping with underglaze red fruit motifs, rare and refined.

3. Gu (Beaker Vase)

• Description: A tall, cylindrical vase with a trumpet-shaped mouth, flared base, and slightly waisted midsection.

• Dimensions: Often 30–50 cm tall.

• Uses: Ceremonial, often for ritual offerings or as an altar piece.

• Styles:

  • Blue-and-white with narrative scenes (e.g., Chenghua period, 1465–1487).

  • Monochrome yellow or green glazes for imperial use.

• Notable Features: Archaic bronze-inspired form, evoking ancient ritual vessels.

• Example: Zhengde-era gu with Islamic-inspired arabesques, reflecting trade influences.

4. Hu (Baluster Vase)

• Description: A large, broad-shouldered vase with a wide body, tapering base, and short neck, resembling a baluster.

• Dimensions: Typically 40–60 cm tall.

• Uses: Decorative, often displayed in palaces or temples.

• Styles:

  • Blue-and-white with mythical creatures or cloud patterns (e.g., Wanli period, 1573–1620).

  • Polychrome wucai (five-color) enamels with bold designs.

• Notable Features: Robust form suitable for large-scale decoration.

• Example: Jiajing-era hu with dragon-and-phoenix motifs, symbolizing imperial harmony.

5. Zun (Wine Vessel)

• Description: A wide-bodied vase with a flared rim and foot, inspired by ancient bronze ritual vessels.

• Dimensions: Usually 15–25 cm tall.

• Uses: Ceremonial, for wine offerings in ancestral or religious rituals.

• Styles:

  • Monochrome glazes like sacrificial blue or red (e.g., Hongzhi period, 1488–1505).

  • Incised designs under a celadon glaze.

• Notable Features: Archaic, dignified form; often simpler decoration.

• Example: Xuande-era zun with underglaze blue lotus, used in imperial ceremonies.

6. Cong (Square Vase)

• Description: A square or rectangular body with a short neck and flat base, inspired by jade ritual objects.

• Dimensions: Typically 20–35 cm tall.

• Uses: Decorative or ritual, symbolizing stability and order.

• Styles:

  • Blue-and-white with scholarly themes (e.g., poems or landscapes).

  • Monochrome white or celadon for understated elegance.

• Notable Features: Geometric form contrasts with typical rounded vases.

• Example: Chenghua-era cong with delicate doucai floral panels.

7. Garlic-Mouth Vase (Suanping)

• Description: A globular body with a long, slender neck topped by a bulbous, garlic-like rim.

• Dimensions: Usually 25–35 cm tall.

• Uses: Decorative, occasionally for flowers or incense.

• Styles:

  • Blue-and-white with birds and flowers (e.g., Wanli period).

  • Monochrome glazes like oxblood or peachbloom.

• Notable Features: Distinctive neck shape adds whimsy to the design.

• Example: Kangxi-era (post-Ming, but inspired) suanping with peachbloom glaze.

Decorative Styles of Ming Vases

1. Blue-and-White

• Technique: Cobalt oxide painted under a transparent glaze, fired at high temperatures.

• Periods: Peak during Yongle, Xuande, and Jiajing reigns.

• Motifs: Dragons, phoenixes, lotuses, peonies, and narrative scenes.

• Significance: Most iconic Ming style, widely exported to Europe and the Middle East.

2. Monochrome Glazes

• Technique: Single-color glaze (e.g., celadon, copper-red, yellow) applied over the porcelain body.

• Periods: Yongle and Xuande for red; Hongzhi for yellow.

• Motifs: Often plain or with incised designs to highlight glaze depth.

• Significance: Prized for technical difficulty and imperial associations.

3. Polychrome Enamels

• Technique: Overglaze enamels in multiple colors (doucai or wucai) applied after initial firing.

• Periods: Chenghua for doucai; Jiajing and Wanli for wucai.

• Motifs: Floral patterns, mythical creatures, and auspicious symbols.

• Significance: Vibrant and complex, showcasing artistic skill.

Cultural and Historical Context

• Imperial Kilns: Jingdezhen in Jiangxi was the primary production center, especially for imperial wares.

• Patronage: Emperors like Xuande and Chenghua commissioned exclusive designs, marked with reign marks.

• Trade: Ming vases were exported via the Silk Road and maritime routes, influencing global ceramic traditions.

• Symbolism: Designs often carried auspicious meanings (e.g., dragons for power, peonies for wealth).

Identifying Ming Vases

• Reign Marks: Six-character marks (e.g., “Da Ming Xuande Nian Zhi”) indicate the emperor’s reign, though later copies exist.

• Craftsmanship: Look for smooth glaze, precise painting, and a resonant “ping” when tapped.

• Condition: Authentic Ming vases may show age-related wear, but significant damage lowers value.

• Provenance: Museum pieces or documented collections (e.g., Percival David Collection) confirm authenticity.

• Caution: Many reproductions exist; consult experts or references like the British Museum’s catalog.

Care and Display

• Handling: Use both hands, supporting the base, to avoid stress on fragile areas.

• Display: Place on stable surfaces away from sunlight to prevent glaze fading.

• Cleaning: Use a soft, dry cloth; avoid water or chemicals unless the vase is watertight.

• Storage: Wrap in acid-free tissue and store in padded cases to prevent chips or cracks.

Resources

• Museums: View collections at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, British Museum, or Palace Museum (Beijing).

• Books: “Ming Ceramics” by Jessica Harrison-Hall for detailed analysis.

• Online: Explore digital archives like the Victoria and Albert Museum’s ceramic collections.

• Experts: Consult auction houses (e.g., Sotheby’s) or ceramic specialists for authentication.

This guide highlights the diversity and beauty of Ming Dynasty vases, each type reflecting the era’s artistic and cultural achievements. Whether for study, collection, or appreciation, these vases remain timeless treasures of Chinese heritage.