This thickly potted jarlet has a short neck and rounded shoulders. It is painted with abstract geometric designs in underglaze blue on the shoulders and on the body. This jarlet was acquired in the Philippines and was used as a utility ware.Trade with overseas markets was the main moving force behind the flourishing production of blue and white ware during the Yuan period (1279-1368). Blue and white wares were particularly popular among the Middle Eastern traders who formed the principal market.Blue and white wares such as this jarlet were produced during the preceding Ming dynasty and were known as ‘Minyao’ (‘provincial ware’). Such export wares were usually found in Southeast Asian countries such as the Philippines, which was an important market for Chinese ceramics since the Northern Song period.
