Dictionary
ceramic ware made of a more or less translucent ceramic
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Wikipedia
porcelain figurine]] Porcelain is a type of hard ceramics ceramic material fired at a higher temperature than that used to fire glazed earthenware and stoneware pottery. It is white or off-white in colour, translucent and can be decorated to provide additional colour. Porcelain is made by firing a mixture of materials including China clay and China stone in a kiln at temperatures in the region of 1200 to 1350 degrees Celsius. The resulting material is hard, strong, glassy and durable, but also brittle. The main components of porcelain, China clay (kaolinite) and crushed China stone (a form of feldspar) are found in nature and result from the weathering and decomposition of igneous rocks such as granite and basalt.Clays used for the manufacture of porcelain can be specially formulated to provide high-strength and high-durability. It is also possible to blend clays to obtain a clay body that is ideal for throwing on a potter's wheel. A wide range of porcelain clays is readily available from many specialist suppliers of materials for ceramics.
Techniques - Porcelain wares may be formed by moulding, by hand-building and in the case of round-wares, by throwing on a potter's wheel. Porcelain ware was produced on the potter's wheel in many historic cultures, including China and Japan. Porcelain has many industrial uses and is also employed to form wares ranging from everyday household crockery to objects of fine art. Many categories of glazes, e.g. celadonceladons, were formulated specifically for their striking effects on porcelain. Modern potters also produce porcelain ware, and generally believe these clay bodies challenge production, firing and glazing skills. From the perspective of the potter the most noticeable difference between porcelain clay and other pottery clays is that it ''wets'' very quickly (small changes in its moisture content can produce large changes in its plasticity) and that it tends to continue to 'move' for longer than other clays, requiring experience in handling to attain optimum results.Porcelain wares are usually coated with a layer of glaze and are often decorated with coloured enamels. As a rule porcelain ware of all types is typically biscuit-fired at around 1000 degrees Celsius (1800 degrees Fahrenheit), and glaze fired (the final firing) at 1300°C (2300°F) or higher, though it should be noted that Chinese porcelain is an exception to this rule.
Chinese porcelain - ChinaChinese porcelain is made from kaolin and a form of feldspar called petuntse. In the Western tradition ceramics are primarily divided into the categories of earthenware, stoneware or porcelain, depending upon the chemical composition of the clay and the temperature at which the ware matures into a stable crystaline matrix. The Chinese tradition recognises only two primary categories of ceramic, high-fired ''(ci)'' and low-fired ''(tao)''. This can lead to confusion because, for example, in China no distinction is drawn between high-fired stonewares and porcelain. One important result of this is that the property of translucence is carries no weight in the traditional Chinese classification of ceramics. One unusual characteristic of Chinese porcelain is that in the main it is ''green-fired'' or ''once-fired'', which is to say that the body and the glaze are fired together. After the body of a piece is formed and finished it is air-dried, coated with a glaze, dried again and fired. In the high temperature of the kiln the body and the glaze are fused together to become one unit. Chinese enamelled wares are also produced in this way, but the enamels are added after the first, high-temperature, firing and the pieces are sent for a second firing in a smaller, lower-temperature kiln.ceramicstoday.com - Two letters written by Père Francois Xavier d'Entrecolles, a Jesuit missionary (and industrial spy) who lived and worked in Jingdezhen described in detail the methods and materials used in the manufacture of porcelain wares in the later years of the reign of the Kangxi emperor; an important period in the history of Chinese ceramics. In his first letter, dated 1712, d'Entrecolles describes the way in which China stone was crushed, refined and formed into little white bricks known in Chinese as ''petuntse'' or ''baidunzi''. He then goes on to describe the refining of China clay, ''kaolin'' or ''Gaoling'', the preparation of glazes, the stages of forming porcelain wares, glazing and firing. Père d'Entrecolles, explaining his motives for describing what he had seen at Jingdezhen, states that ''"Nothing but my curiosity could ever have prompted me to such researches, but it appears to me that a minute description of all that concerns this kind of work might, somehow, be useful in Europe"'' but in the event his first letter came too late to be of much help in the European search for the secret of making porcelain.In 1743, during the reign of the Qianlong emperor, Tang Ying, the imperial supervisor at Jingdezhen produced a memoir entitled ''"Twenty illustrations of the manufacture of porcelain."'' Unfortunately, the original illustrations have been lost but the text of the memoir may be found seattleartmuseum.org - here, together with photographs replacing the missing illustrations and an additional commentary.
History - In the context of Chinese ceramics the term ''porcelain'' lacks a universally accepted definition. This in turn has led to confusion about when the first Chinese porcelain was made. Claims have been made for the late Eastern Han period (100 to 200 AD) the Three Kingdoms period (220 to 280 AD) the Six Dynasties period (220 to 589 AD) and the Tang dynasty (618 to 906 AD). A strong body of Chinese scholarly opinion is currently of the view that the the first true porcelain was made in the Chinese province of Zhejiang during the Eastern Han period, but this opinion is controversial. However, Chinese experts emphasise the presence of a significant proportion of China clay as an important factor in defining ''porcelain'' and shards recovered from Eastern Han kiln sites in Zhejiang, estimated to have been fired at a temperature of between 1260 to 1300 degrees Celsius, were found to meet this condition.Jingdezhen, under a variety of names, has been central to porcelain production in China since at least the early Han DynastyHan Dynasty. Earliest techniques were very primitive, barely above the level of standard pottery. By the time of the Southern and Northern Dynasty period, however, techniques and materials had been improved to the point that Jingdezhen clay was refined into porcelain.During the Song and Yuan dynasties porcelain was made at Jingdezhen and other kiln sites in southern China using crushed and refined China stone alone, but by the early eighteenth century China clay was being added to the China stone, in about equal proportions. Porcelain bodies made from China stone fire at a lower temperature, in the region of 1200 degrees Celsius, than those made with a mixture of China clay and China stone, which require firing in the region of 1350 degrees Celsius. China clay when added to the body material produced a porcelain of great whiteness and of great strength. Whiteness, in particular, was a much sought after property of porcelain, especially that used for blue and white wares. The Sui DynastySui and Tang DynastyTang Dynasties introduced high-temperature kilns, resulting in pure, translucent whites, attractive to the eye, as well as a variety of advanced glazing techniques. These improvements produced smooth, durable porcelain ware. The resulting product was often referred to as "false jade".
See also - Tangshan, Hebei province Canton porcelain Chinese export porcelain Dehua porcelain factories Blanc-de-Chine Famille jaune, noire, rose, verte Swatow ware Yixing clay Kraak porcelain
Japanese porcelain - Imari porcelain Japanese pottery
European porcelain - The European porcelain was invented in Dresden and Meissen in Saxony, Germany (Meißen porcelain), in the reign of the Rulers of SaxonyElector Augustus II of PolandAugustus the Strong (1694-1733), where today can also be found the largest porcelain collection in the world. The discovery of white porcelain in 1708 was by Johann Friedrich Böttger. Böttger had training as an apprentice pharmacist, but decided to turn to alchemy. He made the claim that he had discovered the process of making gold, this got the attention of cash wanting Augustus the Strong, who had Böttger tossed in jail. Böttger was forced to work with other alchemists to discover the process to make gold, instead he unearthed the recipe to cure Augustus of his obsession with "White Gold".The EuropeanEuropeans used a soft paste, which makes for weaker porcelain than the Chinese method. To compensate, around 1750 the EnglandEnglish began to use calcined bone ash to strengthen their porcelain, with the resulting material (typically comprising 25% to 50% bone ash) becoming known as bone china.
Key people and places - Gzhel, Russia Oranienbaum, Russia Dmitry Ivanovich Vinogradov Josiah Wedgwood Limoges, France Lladro, Spain Meißen, Germany Herend, Hungary Pécs, Hungary Porsgrunn, Norway Sèvres, France Worcester, England Delft, Netherlands
References - Hamer, Frank and Janet Title=The Potter's Dictionary of Materials and Techniques. Publisher=A & C Black Publishers, Limited, London, England Year=Third Edition, 1991 ID=ISBN 0-8122-3112-0
External links - Chinese Porcelain:liverpoolmuseums.org.uk - Chinese porcelain at the Lady Lever Art Gallerytravelchinaguide.com - Jingdezhen attractionschinavista.com - Jingdezhen: Ceramics Metropolis of Chinachina-article.com - Jingdezhen Special Folk Arts Porcelain Research Institutegotheborg.com - Gotheborg.com - Chinese Porcelain Collector's InformationPorcelain - generalceramic-link.de - International Ceramic Directory - providing you with links to ceramic !artists,backstamps,manufacture rs,? historical sites and moreCategory:Chinese !cultureCategory:PotteryCategor y:Saxonyaf:Porseleincs:Porcel nde:Porzellanes:Porcelanaeo:P orcelanofr:Porcelaineio:Porcel anohe:חרסינהnl:Porselein ja:陶磁器pl:Porcelanaru:Ф рфорsl:Porcelanfi:Posliin izh:瓷器
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Websites
Grouette Studio
Custom, personalized photo and art products. Have Grouette Studio create a family history mural, best vacation mural or mug or t-shirt, special occasion tray - check the site and see some of the products that can be made. Please note that these are only a few, if you have something you want made - let me know, I probably have it.
http://www.grouettestudio.com/
Luxury goods for the table
We offer a high quality range of goods for the table including French porcelain dinnerware, French flatware, English flatware, hand decorated dinnerware from Ecuador, sterling silver gifts.
http://www.elegance2003.com/
Earth, Hand and Fire Pottery - Pottery and Jewelry by Gail Grice
Born to a family of artist's, Gail's award winning pottery graces the cover of Fire Arts magazine. Available at local craft fairs, shops and galleries.
http://www.ehfpottery.com
Cheri Platter d/b/a Faerie Hollow Pottery
Stoneware home & garden sculptures kimonos & dress forms.... original floral designs on porcelain hand thrown pottery.
http://www.cheriplatter.com/
Modern Design Porcelain by David Pier
Modern Design Porcelain by David Pier.
http://www.precisionporcelain.net/
Russian gifts, russian porcelain, ceramics, nesting dolls, russian icons shop
Our shop sell Russian gifts, russian porcelain, ceramics, nesting dolls, russian icons. Satisfaction guaranteed or money back.
http://www.rus-sell.com/
Lasting Impressions... Your Best Choice for Fine Gifts and Collectibles!
Lasting Impressions offers a mixture of unique and traditional fine gifts and collectibles online and at our bricks-and-mortar shop.
http://www.lastingimpressionsfinegifts.com/
Porcelaine Royal Limoges - GDA
Porcelaine fabriquée dans la cité de Limoges depuis 1797.
http://www.royal-limoges.fr/
Epd le porcellane di Emanuela
Bomboniere in porcellana dipinta a mano.Piatti muerali con il decoro da Voi scelto. Vastissimo catalogo da visitare
http://www.epdporcellana.it/
Linda Agar-Hendrix
Columbine Beads represents the work of American artist, Linda Agar-Hendrix whose work has progressed from hand-woven textiles to raku beads and associated jewelry to ceramic sculpture. Her floral imagery has remained a constant with her recent sculptural pieces focusing on the idea of growth and discovery. The use of low-fire glazes on red clay gives added dimension and texture to her pieces, while white porcelain series illustrates crisp line and smooth surfaces.
http://www.columbinebeads.com/
The Scale Model Airplane Collector!
The Scale Model Airplane Collector! is designed to be the only collecting software program you will ever need to catalog and collect any type scale model airplane.
http://www.collectiblessoftware.com/TSMAC.html
MEDALLIONS AND BORDERS
We are manufacturers of all kinds of medallions and borders in our own factory in Florida, USA We can make all kinds of medallions designs between 24 to 60 as regular orders at the same price by sq/ft inside the same category (letters A, B, C or D www.medallionusa.com) bigger sizes upon request. We can make all the designs in round, square, rectangular or oval and we can use other materials like granite, ceramic, slate, glass upon request or we can make your own design or use your own materials.
http://www.medallionusa.com
Adora Porcelain
Porcelain plates signed by contemporary artists. Limited editions by John Waters, Jack Pierson, Karen Kilimnik, Nicole Eisenman, and Robert Greene.
http://www.adoraporcelain.com/
R AND G MCPHERSON
A LARGE WEBSITE WITH CHINESE AND JAPANESE CERAMICS FOR SALE AS WELL AS ALL SORTS OF INFORMATION ABOUT ORIENTAL CERAMICS.
http://www.orientalceramics.com/
Tinafays Crafts & Candles
scented candles.Scented Candles for sale,Unique candles,Clothing and Lingerie.Gifts for every occasion.Antique restorable Cars has several antique cars for sale,antique project cars.
http://www.tinafayscrafts.com/
Artworks by Julia Custom Tile Mural Designs
Tile murals, hand painted ceramic tiles, decorative tiles and art tiles for kitchen, backsplash or bathroom. Tile artist for custom painted tile, ceramic murals, accent tiles and tile art designs of the highest quality and artisanship.
http://www.artworksbyjulia.com/
Auctions house fine art
The auction house--live or online--for paintings, sculpture, other fine art, antiques, books, jewelry, toys, dolls, collectible memorabilia, and more. Authenticity and condition guaranteed.
http://www.hellmann-fine-art.de/
Porcelain Enamel Institute
Promotes programs and education that advance the common interests of porcelain enameling plants and suppliers of porcelain enameling materials and equipment.
http://www.porcelainenamel.com/
Porcelain Fantasies
Hand painted porcelain doll house dishes, accessories, and fantasy dolls. Available in 1-inch scale and smaller with custom orders accepted.
http://www.porcelainfantasies.com/
The Porcelain Pond
Virginia dealer specializing in antique Haviland Limoge porcelain.
http://www.porcelainpond.com
Fragile Porcelain Mice
Official site for the St. Louis band includes show dates, biography, discography, and merchandise.
http://www.fragileporcelainmice.com/
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