The Ming Gap is a term used to describe a period in Chinese history when there was a decline in the export of Chinese ceramics to Southeast Asia. This period lasted from the mid-15th to the early 16th centuries, and it coincided with the early Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 AD).
There are a number of reasons for the Ming Gap. One reason is that the Ming government was focused on consolidating its power and expanding its territory. As a result, it restricted trade with other countries. Another reason for the Ming Gap is that the Ming government imposed a ban on the export of blue-and-white porcelain. Blue-and-white porcelain was the most popular type of Chinese ceramic exported to Southeast Asia, and the ban on its export had a significant impact on the trade in ceramics.
The Ming Gap had a number of consequences for Southeast Asia. One consequence is that it led to a decline in the availability of Chinese ceramics in the region. Another consequence is that it led to the development of local ceramic industries in Southeast Asia. Southeast Asian potters began to produce their own ceramics to meet the demand for Chinese ceramics.
The Ming Gap ended in the early 16th century, when the Ming government lifted its ban on the export of blue-and-white porcelain. The trade in ceramics between China and Southeast Asia resumed, and Chinese ceramics once again became popular in the region.