During the Ming Dynasty, the mastery of glaze-red porcelain firing technology had greatly improved, leading to the production of a large number of exquisite pieces. However, due to the strict requirements of firing temperature and atmosphere for achieving the desired coloration of glaze-red porcelain, its development did not progress as rapidly as blue and white porcelain. Production remained limited to a small quantity, resulting in a scarcity of extant pieces.
The Hongwu period saw the highest number of extant glaze-red porcelain artifacts known to date. Mainly comprising bowls, plates, cup stands, and Yu Hu Chun vases, these artifacts retained the rustic and robust style of the Yuan Dynasty. Plates and cup stands typically featured diamond-shaped mouths, thick and heavy bodies, a high level of vitrification, and a slightly impure white due to the presence of tiny impurities in the body. The glaze was predominantly Qingbai in color, thick and lustrous, sometimes exhibiting natural crackle patterns. The glassiness level was high, though the gloss was relatively subdued and soft. Successful glaze-red colorations generally appeared pure, but most colors tended to be dull, with some even appearing dark or black. Common motifs included entwined branches with peonies, entwined branches with chrysanthemums, the Three Friends of Winter (pine, bamboo, and plum), figures and stories, lotus petal patterns, and others. The decoration during the Hongwu period was often realistic, with a concise, flowing, and lively style that still retained some features of the Yuan Dynasty. Dragon motifs were less ferocious than in the Yuan Dynasty, featuring five claws; chrysanthemums were oval-shaped, and entwined branch flowers gradually decreased in size from the large leaves and blossoms seen in the Yuan Dynasty.
In summary, the Hongwu period marked an important transitional phase in ceramic development, and careful attention should be paid to the stylistic features when identifying and collecting glaze-red porcelain from this era.
The Yongle and Xuande periods achieved great success in glaze-red porcelain firing, particularly during the Xuande reign when mastery of copper red coloration techniques resulted in vibrant colors, breaking away from the dark reds, pinks, and murky tones of the late Yuan and early Ming periods, creating a bright jewel-like red. The balance between light and dark in the decoration was skillfully handled, even in lighter sketches, maintaining clear and bright lines. Mainly featuring pear-shaped ewers, tall-footed bowls, cups, flared-rim bowls, plates, and others, glaze-red porcelain from the Yongle and Xuande periods boasted fine, white bodies, glossy white glaze, and well-proportioned forms. Many of these pieces were smaller in size, with larger vessels being less common. Decorative motifs included fish, entwined branch flowers, lion balls, seahorses, and others. The decorative style shared similarities with contemporaneous blue and white porcelain, featuring open layouts and smooth lines, primarily painted in copper red. Additionally, a unique decorative technique involved carving out red glaze over white glaze, creating slightly raised red areas, showcasing exceptional craftsmanship.
The Chenghua period produced fewer glaze-red porcelain artifacts, mainly featuring fish bowls and tall-footed bowls, but their quality was high, with bright and vibrant colors comparable to those of the Xuande period. Glaze-red porcelain from the Hongzhi and Zhengde periods is relatively rare, with most pieces exhibiting dull colors.
Glaze-red porcelain production declined significantly during the Jiajing, Longqing, and Wanli periods, with alum-red glaze often replacing glaze-red, resulting in very few glaze-red pieces being produced. Only glaze-red artifacts from the Wanli period, such as fish bowls, fruit bowls, tall-footed bowls, displayed bright red coloration, adding to their visual appeal.
During the Tianqi period, glaze-red was mostly used for partial decoration or as accents within patterns, while during the Chongzhen period, glaze-red products were not commonly seen.
In conclusion, except for a period of popularity during the Hongwu period and the peak achieved during the Xuande period, glaze-red porcelain production during the Ming Dynasty experienced a decline in success rates, leading to a scarcity of extant pieces from the mid-Ming period onward. Therefore, careful study is necessary when encountering so-called Ming Dynasty glaze-red porcelain in the art market.
