Nearly the entire world loves the blue-and-white wares that originated from China as early as the late Tang dynasty or 9th century. The succeeding periods saw an increase in the production of these wares that were specifically produced as export commodity of China to the rest of the world. The development of blue-and-white wares reached its zenith during the Ming dynasty or 13th to 16th century.

Labeled trade wares or trade ceramics, nations all over the world still import them from China until this day.

The Philippines, strategically located between the Pacific Ocean and the Asian Mediterranean Sea otherwise called China Sea has become an ideal trading post of China. Volumes of these Chinese trade ceramics have been received by the archipelago for local use, as well as re-distribution to other continents.

These blue-and-white Chinese trade ceramics are a favorite since then, and until now.

In welcoming the Chinese New Year, Ayala Museum and Raffles Residences co-celebrate the opening salvo with a visual treat of highly collectible blue-and-white wares, as well as gustation inspired by the qinghua pieces by way of afternoon tea sessions.

The objects on exhibit are part of the long-term loan of Chinese and Southeast Asian trade ceramics from the late Robert T. Villanueva collection to Ayala Museum. The loan was made possible through the Roberto T. Villanueva Foundation, Inc. under its President Marybeth Villanueva-Kilayko.

Note: The last day of the exhibition has been moved from March 30 to March 29. The last day that the special qinghua-inspired afternoon tea will be offered by Raffles has been similarly moved.