The Ming Dynasty was a time of economic growth in China. Specially because it started the first commercial contacts between the country and the great economic dynasties: Portugal in the 16th century and the West Indian Company of England in the 17th and 18th century.
Additionaly, China traded loads of silver for porcelain and silk. Some artists became famous for their artwork in white porcelain. The porcelain factories in Dehua were meeting european tastes and exporting the product in massive quantities. It is estimated that 16% of porcelain were exported to Europe while the rest was exported to Japan and southeast Asia.
