Sunset Glow of Porcelian from the Wanli Reign

History of the Ming dynasty embarked on the track of gradual decline and fall after four reigns, i.e., the Wanli (1573–1620), Taichang (1620–1620), Tianqi (1621–1644), and Chongzhen reigns, totally covering 72 years. Based on the flourishing imperial kilns in the Jiajing reign and with the help of the opening to foreign trades by the Longqing Emperor, ceramics were exported overseas, promoting the vigorous development of the porcelain industry. Meanwhile, due to the Wanli Emperor’s reconstruction of the three major halls of the Forbidden City, a large number of porcelains was needed by the court, triggering a new peak of ceramic manufacture in Jingdezhen, namely, a new breakthrough in ceramic craftmanship—wucai (literally meaning “five colors”) porcelains—in the Wanli reign. This new stage of development can be compared to the sunset glow, which is still splendid even though it is in the evening of the day.