Date：2019-05-28 - 2019-09-01
Location：No. 2 Exhibition Hall

The three reigns of Zhengtong, Jingtai and Tianshun (1436-1464) in mid Ming dynasty went through political turmoil of the throne competition between two brothers. The period oftwenty-nine years seems a gap between the golden ages of precedent Xuande reign (1426-35) and the following Chenghua reign (1465-87) in terms of imperial porcelain production. Due to the lack of emperor’s reign names inscribed on official porcelain wares and the absence of historical texts, we know little about this period, which also presents difficulties in the identification of civilian kiln products. Over the recent centuries, this mysterious period has been called “Interregnum Period” or “Dark Period” in the history of Chinese porcelain.
Scholars have started to elicit discussions on this period with great achievements in archaeological findings since decades ago. In 1988, the imperial kiln site of Zhengtong reign was discovered at Mount Zhushan, Jingdezhen, together with important porcelain hards excavated in great amount from the Zhengtong to Tianshun strata in 2014, which has gradually thrown light on the imperial porcelain production in this particular period.
The Shanghai Museum and Jingdezhen Imperial Ceramic Archaeological Research Institute jointly present the current grand show, which features the Shanghai Museum collection, newly discovered imperial porcelains from Jingdezhen, and various important loans from other twenty-six museums and institutes all over the world. In addition to the official porcelain wares of the three-reign period, the exhibition also provides examples designed for the Ming royal governors (fanwang) and civilian kiln products as well, which could rival the Xuande and Chenghua porcelain wares in quality and variety.
It is noteworthy that this is an effortful attempt to assemble all the representative porcelain products of the mid fiftenth century China for the firsttime, and we are deeply indebted to all the lenders for their generous support to make this possible. We hope this comprehensive exhibition will bring a fresh reconstruction of the art, history and scholarship of the porcelain production of Zhengtong, Jingtai and Tianshun reigns.

Blue-and-white Vat with Dragons amid Clouds

Blue-and-white Vase in Ancient Bronze Zun Shape with Winged Dragons

Blue-and-white Cylindrical Jar with Brocade Design

Blue-and-white Gourd-shaped Vase with Lotus Scrolls

Blue-and-white Bowl with Children Playing in the Garden

Blue-and-white Large Dish with Lions Chasing an Embroidered Ball

Stem Bowl with Blue-and-white Mythical Creatures amid Red Enamel Waves

Bowl with Red Enamel Mythical Creatures amid Blue-and-white Waves

Blue-and-white Taboret with Pine, Bamboo and Plum Blossoms

Blue-and-white Ruyi-shaped Pillow with Lotus Sprays

Blue-and-white Mountain-shaped Incense Burner

Blue-and-white Rectangle Flowerpot with Lotus Scrolls

Blue-and-white Meiping Vase Depicting Visiting a Friend with Zither

Stem Bowl in White Glaze with Dragons and Gilding Decoration

Blue-and-white Jar with Peony Scrolls and Lion-head Handles

Blue-and-white Jar Depicting Ladies in Cultural Pursuits

Blue-and-white Meiping Vase with Peacocks and Peonies

Blue-and-white Vase with Molded Dragon and Inscription Dated to Year 1461

Blue-and-white Vase on a Stand with Figures

Covered Jar with Lotus in Enamels

【Virtual】 Lustre Revealed: Jingdezhen Porcelain Wares in Mid Fifteenth Century