'Sweet White' Meiping with Cloud Collars
明永乐甜白釉暗花梅瓶
A Yongle imperial meiping in tianbai (甜白, 'sweet white') glaze: a milky white porcelain so pure that the Yongle emperor used it for ritual offerings on the imperial altar. The decoration is incised into the body so faintly you only see it when light catches the surface — the so-called anhua, 'hidden decoration'.
Object Facts
- Period
- Ming dynasty, Yongle reign (1403–1424)
- Date
- 1403–1424
- Medium
- Porcelain with incised 'hidden decoration' (anhua) under tianbai 'sweet white' glaze
- Dimensions
- H. 32.1 cm; D. 20.3 cm
- Held by
- The Cleveland Museum of Art
Cleveland, USA - Accession
- 1964.167
Cleveland Museum of Art — John L. Severance Fund
Why it matters
Tianbai is one of the most demanding glazes ever fired at Jingdezhen, requiring a refined kaolin body and exact reduction firing. The Yongle emperor — patron of Zheng He's voyages and of the Forbidden City itself — made these vessels the symbol of his dynasty's purity.
How it travelled
Likely exported through Beijing in the early 20th century. Acquired by the Cleveland Museum in 1964 via the John L. Severance Fund.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I see 'Sweet White' Meiping with Cloud Collars?+
'Sweet White' Meiping with Cloud Collars is held by the The Cleveland Museum of Art in Cleveland, USA. Accession number 1964.167. Online catalogue record: https://clevelandart.org/art/1964.167.
When was 'Sweet White' Meiping with Cloud Collars created?+
'Sweet White' Meiping with Cloud Collars dates to 1403–1424, during the Ming dynasty, Yongle reign (1403–1424).
What is 'Sweet White' Meiping with Cloud Collars made of?+
'Sweet White' Meiping with Cloud Collars is a meiping vase executed in porcelain with incised 'hidden decoration' (anhua) under tianbai 'sweet white' glaze, measuring H. 32.1 cm; D. 20.3 cm.
How did 'Sweet White' Meiping with Cloud Collars end up at the Cleveland Museum?+
Likely exported through Beijing in the early 20th century. Acquired by the Cleveland Museum in 1964 via the John L. Severance Fund.
Can I reuse the photograph of 'Sweet White' Meiping with Cloud Collars?+
Yes. The Cleveland Museum has released the image under Creative Commons Zero (CC0), so it is free for any use, commercial or non-commercial, with no attribution required (though attribution is appreciated).
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