During China’s Ming dynasty (1368 to 1644), Chinese pottery was exported to Europe where the designation “China” was used to indicate particularly fine pottery. The quality of Chinese clay allowed for the manufacture of pottery vessels with very thin walls, so thin that they were translucent. This fine pottery was also known as porcelain. In 1644, the Manchus overthrew the Ming dynasty and established the Qing dynasty (清朝 ), which was China’s last imperial dynasty. The Qing dynasty lasted until 1912.
Shown below is some of the pottery from the Qing dynasty which is on display in the Portland Art Museum.
According to the display:
“For more than two thousand years, the phoenix and dragon have been favored motifs in Chinese art as symbols of longevity.”