 The lotus flower scrolls and foliate border of the Ming Scarf are both classic designs of the renowned porcelains of Ming dynasty China. Rhythmic floral scrolls and the Buddhist symbol of the lotus were favourite motifs in an era when tight controls were placed on the subjects, forms and even colors and glazes that could be used in the manufacture of ceramics.
China's Golden Age
The Ming era (1368-1644) is regarded as a golden age of Chinese rule and the splendour of the imperial court was brilliantly reflected in the exquisite ceramics that were produced. Due to Chinese trade and diplomacy, fine examples were exported all over the globe. In fact, such was the foreign demand for Ming dynasty ceramics that important kiln sites such as Jingdezhen, in the southern province of Jiangxi, became some of the world's first industrial towns.
  The Ming dynasty was a time of technical and artistic innovations. In particular, underglaze blue and underglaze red wares were developed and refined with enormous success. The distinctive blue color of the lively hand-painted patterns was derived from cobalt, while the red was derived from copper oxide. Copper oxide proved especially difficult to control during the firing process and red and white wares are consequently rarer than blue and white wares.
From large dishes and bowls to jars and stem cups, numerous masterpieces were produced under the patronage of the imperial court. So popular and influential were the underglaze blue wares in particular that they have become almost synonymous with the splendour of imperial China and have inspired a million imitations.
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