What are Ming vases?

Ming vases are pieces of pottery that were made in China between 1368 and 1644, a period known as the Ming Dynasty. These vases are most notable for crisp blue artwork on a bright white or milky background.

During the Ming Dynasty, significant changes in the manufacturing process of pottery included adding manganese to the cobalt. This had the effect of making the blue coloration less vibrant and bright, but it stopped the problem of bleeding and blurring during the firing process. Authentic Ming vases are very rare and extremely valuable. In 2012, Sotheby's sold a Ming vase for $1.3 million at auction.