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Underglaze blue is a decorative technique used on pottery, particularly porcelain, where blue pigment is applied to the ceramic body before it is covered with a transparent glaze and fired. This method was used in the Middle East as early as the 9th century and was introduced to China during the Yuan dynasty (1279–1368).1

Chinese blue-and-white wares, especially those from the Ming (1368–1644) and Qing (1644–1911) dynasties, are highly notable. The technique later spread to Europe. Cobalt blue is a stable color that performs well under high-temperature firings, making it ideal for underglaze decoration on porcelain.12

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