Ceramics from the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) are on display at the Palace Museum in Beijing. [Photo by Jiang Dong/China Daily]

He points out that the restoration of the broken pieces also offers new ideas on the subject of ceramics. For example, previously unknown inner structures and complicated manufacturing techniques of a blue-and-white tripod are detected from the pieces, after assembling them.

"For visitors, the impact of a restored broken article is sometimes even stronger than a complete one," he says.

The Ming courts also worked on preventing counterfeits of their royal kiln products and the process remained rigid until the mid-16th century. According to the law then, those who privately copied royal porcelain styles would face the death penalty, which left Jingdezhen the only place outside of Forbidden City to record this crucial phase of Chinese art history.

"Through further research, people will also know how these royal articles influenced global interest in porcelain since the 14th century," Shan says. "Consequently, this exhibition is more than a banquet for general visitors. Rather it is a milestone for academia."

The show started last week and runs through Sept 2.