Final answer:
Porcelain is a fine, hard, translucent white ceramic made from kaolin clay and porcelain stone. It became highly valued during the Ming Dynasty, where large quantities with intricate designs were produced. Porcelain's strength allowed for delicate and ornate dishware which was in great demand internationally.
Step-by-step explanation:
The materials commonly used to fabricate items like porcelain include kaolin clay, porcelain stone, or a combination of both. This composition gave rise to the celebrated and valuable porcelain during the Ming Dynasty, recognized for its fine, hard, translucent white ceramic quality. Porcelain was desired for its strength that allowed for the creation of thin, translucent vessels. The production process involved shaping the material on a potter's wheel, then painting, glazing, and firing the objects in high-temperature kilns, which were sometimes ordered in large quantities with intricate designs such as the dragon and phoenix.
Further advancements in porcelain included importing cobalt blue from Iran for the iconic blue coloring found on many Ming porcelain pieces. These materials and practices made porcelain a highly demanded commodity, renowned for its perfection and beauty, especially for its use in dishware due to its strong yet ornate style.