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What is Swatow ware and where was it exported?

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Chinese sculpture during the Han dynasty examined — Chinese art A discussion of Chinese art, from the documentary *China: West Meets East at the Metropolitan Museum of Art*.

Swatow ware, also known as Shantou wares, refers to various types of porcelain produced primarily in Fujian province, China, during the 16th and 17th centuries. These wares are characterized by their lively, loosely drawn, and spontaneous decorative style. They were created in southern Chinese kilns as crude but vibrant imitations of the blue-and-white and wucai ("five-colour") porcelains produced at Jingdezhen.12

While the name "Swatow" was historically associated with the port of Shantou as an export site, contemporary records indicate that this was not the actual shipping point. These ceramics were widely exported to several regions, including:21

Southeast Asia21
Japan1
India1
The Middle East1
European markets1

Most surviving pieces of Swatow ware consist of large bowls and plates, often decorated in underglaze blue or with overglaze red, green, and turquoise enamels.1