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Art of Asia
Course: Art of Asia > Unit 2
Lesson 15: Ming dynasty (1368–1644)- Ming dynasty (1368–1644), an introduction
- An introduction to the Ming dynasty (1368–1644)
- Technology during the Ming dynasty (1368–1644)
- Spirit path to the tomb of the first Ming Emperor
- Red so rare it was lost to time —a ritual Ming dish
- The Forbidden City
- The Forbidden City
- Wang Lü among the peaks, Ming paintings of Mt. Hua
- The Abduction of Helen Tapestry
- Standing figure of Guanyin as Buddha
- Covered jar with fish in lotus pond
- Classical gardens of Suzhou
- Song of the morning
- Whirling Snow on the River Bank
- Shen Zhou, A Spring Gathering
- Shakyamuni, Laozi, and Confucius
- Congyi, Cloudy Mountains
- Qiu Ying, Journey to Shu
- Copy after Qiu Ying, Playing the Zither Beneath a Pine Tree
- Palace Women and Children Celebrating the New Year
- Eleven Dragons handscroll
- Wang Wen, Poem in cursive script
- Li (tripod)-shaped cloisonné incense burner
- Canteen
- ‘Kraak’ bowl, from Jingdezhen
- Brushrest with Arabic inscription
- Miniature figurines and furniture in a Ming Tomb
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Brushrest with Arabic inscription
By The British Museum
Emperor Zhengde was still a child when he ascended the throne. He was strongly influenced by Muslim eunuchs at court and may have converted to Islam. He was known occasionally to wear Arab dress. Many of the porcelain vessels produced during his reign show Islamic influence. Many have Islamic shapes, and Arabic calligraphy was frequently used in the decoration, though not always accurately.
Pieces with Islamic decoration would also have been made specifically by and for the large Muslim population living in China. Persians, Turks, and others were involved in the production and export of ceramics and many other goods, at all levels. Many were extremely wealthy merchants or shipowners.
This brush-rest has a six-character reign mark on the bottom. Zhengde pieces with Arabic calligraphy and six-character or four-character marks were either items for the study of an official or utilitarian vessels such as dishes and bowls. They also incorporate Chinese-style decoration.
© The Trustees of the British Museum
Additional resources:
J. Harrison-Hall, Ming ceramics (London, The British Museum Press, 2001)
S.J. Vainker, Chinese pottery and porcelain (London, The British Museum Press, 1991)