The Islamic Cobalt Blue That Created Ming China’s Iconic Porcelain cover art

The Islamic Cobalt Blue That Created Ming China’s Iconic Porcelain

The Islamic Cobalt Blue That Created Ming China’s Iconic Porcelain

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In this late-night deep dive, we explore how the blue in your classic “Chinese” vase actually started in 9th-century Iraq. We examine into how Abbasid cobalt mastery traveled east via Mongol routes and birthed Yuan/Ming blue-and-white porcelain.

We explore:

  • Basra workshops and Persian cobalt mines
  • Mongol Pax Mongolica trade explosion
  • Reverse influence loop
  • Modern cobalt ties

Sources:

  • Qatar Museums cobalt collections
  • Jingdezhen porcelain history
  • Ilkhanid hybrid wares
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