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Primary sourceArtifactbefore 1424 (attributed)

Stem Bowl with Incised Dragons and Pearls

before 1424 (attributed)

A red-glazed porcelain stem bowl attributed to the Yongle imperial court, an example of the fine ceramics made during his reign.

This porcelain bowl is attributed to the Yongle court era and illustrates the imperial ceramics produced during his reign.

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A plain copper-red glazed porcelain stem bowl photographed against a grey gradient background. The bowl has a flared rim and a tall, narrow foot ring. No incised dragons or pearls are visible on the exterior.
Stem bowl, attributed to the Yongle period, before 1424.

About this source

What it is

This is a copper-red glazed porcelain stem bowl, a type of imperial ware associated with the Yongle period of the Ming dynasty, before 1424. Its maker is unknown, as is common for imperial workshop pieces.

The bowl has a flared rim and a tall foot ring, a classic shape for Ming court porcelain.

Why it matters

Objects like this bowl show the artistic achievements of the Yongle Emperor's court. Fine ceramics were produced for imperial use and gift-giving, reflecting the wealth and craftsmanship supported by his rule.

Look closer

  • What does the quality of this object tell you about the resources available to the imperial court?
  • Why might a ruler want objects like this made in large numbers?
  • What can't you learn about the Yongle Emperor just from looking at this bowl?

This artifact is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Yongle Emperor on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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