This thesis mainly focuses on the research of Sino-Portuguese trade porcelain during the early days of Macau’s colonization (between 1553 to 1600 AD). According to historical texts, the Portuguese first arrived in China in 1514 AD. However, because of poor diplomatic relations, the Portuguese resorted to smuggling along the Chinese coasts and neighbouring islands, since they were forbidden to trade near the mainland. It wasn’t until 1553 AD (1557 AD in Portuguese historical texts), the Portuguese occupied Macau and gradually developed it into a main stronghold of Sino-Portuguese maritime trade. Since then, the Sino-Portuguese trade rapidly grew and transitioned into a stable, prosperous business, which lasted almost a century. Macau’s colonization signified a new stage in Sino-Portuguese trade, which was clearly reflected on porcelain goods. In addition to the increase of quantity, export porcelain with new styles and functions were produced to meet the European market’s demand. These products are the focus of this thesis. In the past, academic research on porcelain during the early period of Macau’s colonization was inadequate due to the lack of first-hand material and the sole focus of Kraak Porcelain. Therefore, this thesis will systematically analyze and categorize the export porcelain during this time period. Academics generally believed that Kraak Porcelain between the 16th and 17th Centuries was a new trend for the European market. However, through the research and investigations of porcelains unearthed in Macau and Portuguese sites, the writer believes the trend already existed during the early period of Macau’s colonization (mid-16th Century). Therefore, this thesis will use the porcelains unearthed in a monastery site at Coimbra, Portugal as typical research materials, and compare them with the porcelains traded in the Southeast Asian and Middle Eastern markets, along with the early trade porcelains between Chinese and Portuguese merchants (before 1553). Thereby proving the transition and time period of the emergence of export porcelain through types, decoration and dimension. On this basis, combined with historical information and factual evidence, further discuss the change of export porcelain, and its correlation with the aesthetic and functional requirements of the European market. Last but not least, this thesis will attempt to make the reader understand the transition and innovation of export porcelains may play a leading role to the development of Kraak Porcelain. This will be achieved through comparing the investigation of the different developmental stages of the types and decoration of export porcelains, with Kraak Porcelain, which appeared at a later time period. The research results can also clarify the characteristics of types and decorations of export porcelains during the mid and late 16th Century, which provides a holistic understanding of Ming Dynasty porcelain traits.