The Story
Yuan Dynasty potters at Jingdezhen perfected a technique so influential that its vocabulary — blue, white, landscape, figure narrative — became the universal language of fine ceramics for six hundred years. The cobalt pigment originally came from Persia; the designs were often tailored for Middle Eastern markets. When Ming and Qing emperors later claimed blue-and-white as quintessentially Chinese, they were claiming a style that had always been global. Some of the rarest surviving Yuan narrative meiping vases — only a few dozen exist worldwide — are among the most valuable artifacts in any Chinese museum. Their painted stories draw from opera and history, turning each vase into a theater in miniature. This theme traces blue-and-white porcelain from its Yuan Dynasty birth through its transformation of global taste.
Artifacts in This Theme
In Popular Culture
2011 · Ruyi Xinxin / Dragon TV
Empresses in the Palace
A 76-episode Qing Dynasty palace drama that became one of the most-watched Chinese television shows of all time and a global cultural phenomenon on Netflix.
3 artifacts →
2020 · miHoYo / HoYoverse
Genshin Impact — Liyue
Liyue is the Chinese-inspired region of Genshin Impact, a free-to-play open-world RPG with over 60 million monthly active players worldwide.
3 artifacts →
Frequently Asked
What is the "Blue-and-White Porcelain Masterpieces" theme about?
Cobalt blue on white porcelain became the first truly global luxury good — from Yuan China to Ottoman palaces, Dutch still lifes, and Delft kilns.
Which artifacts are part of "Blue-and-White Porcelain Masterpieces"?
This theme groups 1 artifact, including Blue-and-White Porcelain Plum Vase (Xiao He Chases Han Xin). Each entry on this page links to the artifact's full record with provenance, dating, and museum source.
Where can I see the artifacts in this theme in person?
The pieces in this theme are currently held by Nanjing Museum. Some institutions rotate their displays, so we recommend checking the museum's website before visiting.
Is this theme based on academic sources?
Yes — every claim links to a primary or scholarly source, including Wikipedia — Blue and white pottery. The full list of references is shown in the sidebar of this page.
Why is "Blue-and-White Porcelain Plum Vase (Xiao He Chases Han Xin)" considered iconic for this theme?
The crown jewel of Yuan Dynasty porcelain — a meiping vase depicting the dramatic story of Xiao He's midnight chase to retrieve the brilliant general Han Xin.