China. What is porcelain

Porcelain in the generally accepted concept is a white material, smooth, shiny, durable, although it can be fragile from impact. Our acquaintance with porcelain, as a rule, begins with dishes and interior items. Although according to its purpose it is divided into three groups: economic and artistic, used in dishes and interior items; chemical, from which products for the laboratory are made; electrical, used in equipment. And today we will discuss what types of porcelain in dishes exist, the distinctive qualities and features of their appearance.

If we talk about porcelain on a larger scale, based on, this material can be divided into two categories: European and Oriental.

European porcelain includes hard, semi-soft and soft compositions of the material. And such a variety of types of porcelain is explained by the fact that Europeans had more favorable economic and technological opportunities at the time when they were “looking” for a recipe for this white material. And today Europeans are ahead of many in production and methods of decoration. hard porcelain. Although we know that the white material itself was invented in ancient China, it is true that its characteristics are very similar.

The Eastern line, of course, has a history of Chinese porcelain, which is still reflected in the shapes of the products and their decoration. The technology of oriental porcelain involves production without the use of firing at high temperatures, which results in a soft and semi-soft material.

Both types of porcelain - hard and soft - are used in the manufacture of tableware, tableware and interior items. What distinctive properties do these two materials have and what is their difference?

Hard porcelain

Hard porcelain can simply be called porcelain. This is the material whose characteristics correspond to the concept of “porcelain”. What exactly?

• fine grinding of components, creating homogeneity of the material;
• firing at high temperatures;
• White color different shades, from milky-warm to bluish-cold;
• solid structure and high strength. When cutting food with a knife, there is no mark/scratch left on the porcelain surface;
• when you tap a wooden object, a melodic ringing sound appears;
• with a slight thickness, it has the ability to transmit light, becoming translucent;
• “not afraid” of temperature changes;
• absolutely hygienic.

The biggest disadvantage of the material is fragility from impact.

Characteristics of the appearance of porcelain can be different if low and high firing temperatures are used with the application of glaze to the surface. Moreover, depending on the complexity of the design, the glaze can be applied to the product up to six times. And the object goes through the same number of firings. Porcelain happens:

• Biscuit- fired without glaze. It has a rough, matte surface that tends to absorb moisture over time. It is rarely used in this form, sometimes in interior design products (large vases, statues).
• With hard glaze. The product has a smooth, shiny surface. For this, a certain composition of the glaze is used with an admixture of a high content of quartz and other components.
• With glaze, which includes large quantities of feldspar. Such products have a milky matte surface.
• With transparent glaze. The simplest recipe, consisting of a large amount of lime and other ingredients.

It is worth noting that in the production of hard porcelain there is careful quality control at all stages of operations. Defective dishes after firing sometimes exceed the threshold of 20-25%. Therefore, the price for this type of porcelain is always quite high.

Soft porcelain

To increase the plasticity of the mass, kaolin is replaced with a high content of feldspar, producing soft porcelain. Products made from such raw materials are fired at temperatures below 1350°C. They are characterized by: smooth or textured surface; smooth or curly edge; a variety of decoration methods, both under the glaze and above the glaze (using ceramic paints, decals, paints with precious metals). This material is divided into several types:

Feldspathic porcelain

It contains, in addition to plastic white clay and quartz, a large number of feldspar. During production, the dishes undergo low temperature firing, which makes it possible to use different ways decoration. The paint is applied both under the glaze and above the glaze. The material has a high density, which makes the products completely impervious to light.

High feldspathic porcelain

Very similar to hard porcelain, it has less clay content, but more quartz and feldspar. Firing takes place over low temperatures. In this regard, it also has more possibilities for decoration. With good ability to transmit light, it has greater strength and heat resistance. Often used in dining rooms and belongs to the category - elite.

Fritted porcelain

The material is considered one of the many types of ceramics. It contains a frit component, which reduces the melting point. This allows firing at low temperature conditions, accordingly decorate the products in any way. Fritted porcelain is distinguished by its transparency and lightness, but during production there are many deformed products (more than 30%), which also affects its price.

Bone china

It contains a large percentage of bone ash obtained from the bones of large, horned animals. It is characterized by increased whiteness (milky and “warm” tones), and is perfectly translucent. The firing technology allows the surface to be decorated in various and colorful ways. True, during manufacturing, product shapes are often deformed due to high temperatures, which cannot but affect the price.

It is believed that some types are not very resistant to acids and alkalis, so they are more used in tea and coffee sets than in dining rooms. By the way, English porcelain is often made of bone, while being soft. Sometimes the material is used as a “biscuit” (without glaze) in the manufacture of sculptures and large vases.

And if we return to the classification of porcelain in the categories: Eastern and European, then in the latter (European) there is always more kaolin present, and it is fired in a kiln at high temperatures. This allows for a more transparent material, but there are restrictions on decoration.

Since most paints “burn out” at high temperatures, European manufacturers often use decal technology for these purposes - paper “transfers” with drawings made with special paints, including those containing precious metals.

Eastern manufacturers apply special paints under the glaze. This allows you to use a richer palette of colors, since no heat firing

Manufacturers of porcelain tableware

If we talk about companies that produce real porcelain, then, of course, these are European brands with centuries-old histories. They all make different types porcelain, but some only work with hard material.

I would like to mention the French town of Limoges, as it is particularly white and hard. Company Haviland, located in the area, produces products highest class and is famous for its classic designs. The decoration of products from this brand is often inlaid with precious metals, which is why the porcelain is called “presidential” or “royal”.

The Germans are well known for Meissen porcelain. Has a special quality Royal Porcelain Manufactory Berlin. Factory Rosenthal has different stylistic directions. Porcelain manufactory in the Czech Republic Bohemia. – Herend(Herend) is known not only for the quality of its porcelain, but also for its incredibly artistic paintings, graceful shapes and colorful palette of colors.

Buying new dishes usually occurs when moving to a new apartment, buying new furniture, for a big event - Christmas, Epiphany or anniversary. We also buy porcelain for gifts. Dishes are something that stays with us for a long time, sometimes for many years. Buying cookware is a significant expense, often a mini-investment, so it’s worth taking the time to choose really good, high-quality cookware.

How to choose the right porcelain

What to pay attention to in order to be satisfied with your choice and use it with pleasure. The first question that usually comes to mind when buying porcelain is the question of the shape of the dishes. What to choose, the classics or be tempted by the modern one, the one that is in fashion now?

When answering this question, first of all think about the fact that porcelain can serve for many years, so the dishes should have a look that you won’t get tired of even after 5 years.

Bone china tea set

When choosing china, consider the style of your kitchen and dining room so that the dinnerware is not intrusive, but rather matches and complements the rest of the table setting.

When choosing porcelain, do not forget that this is only a dish and it should not dominate in its shape over the dishes that you will serve in it (some dishes do not look very good, but taste good. For example, soup, stew - they can be served in dishes of more complex shapes.)

What color should porcelain be?

When choosing porcelain, you should decide on its color. Which is better white or colored? Of course, white is more practical; everything looks good, clean and elegant on white dishes. In support of this statement, it can be noted that restaurants use white dishes, because the client should see the food, not the plate.

White porcelain

White color is more universal. With white dishes, you can change up your table setting with just accessories like napkin rings or candles. You can also use separate colored elements, such as a water jug ​​or vase, for variety. They will liven up your table setting.

When choosing the color of the dishes, you can pay attention to the prints. After all, porcelain with a light pattern is very beautiful. Here you need to take into account that most of the applied drawings are dictated by fashion and think about whether this print will get boring in a few years. But if you decide to purchase porcelain with a print, it is better to choose a small print in soothing colors, rather than an aggressive pattern in bright, intense colors that takes up the entire dish.

Porcelain service or individual items

We've chosen the shape and color, now it's time to think about the quantity. How to buy porcelain - individually or immediately purchase a set for 6 or 12 people? You need to ask yourself whether such a set meets individual needs and whether it contains items that will not be used. Are all items the right size, etc. For example, is a vase an ideal container for a family or so large that it will be used once a year?

Beautiful porcelain with gilding

It is best to contact the seller, who will offer to assemble a kit according to your individual needs. Then you can make the right decision about the size and number of plates and salad bowls.

Porcelain is quite expensive, so pay attention to it appearance, exclusivity of finishing and durability. To reduce one-time expenses, you can spread the purchase over time and divide it into several parts. This makes sense if you are sure that the selected collection is always in the manufacturer’s offer and will not be discontinued in the near future. Find out from the seller and buy some items in six months, a year or even several years.

Porcelain quality

When choosing porcelain, pay attention to its thickness. If the dishes are light, but have fairly thick walls, then they are made of porous material. The less porous the material, the more durable the cookware.

Antique bone china

When choosing porcelain, find out whether it is microwave and dishwasher safe. This is important even if you don't have a microwave or dishwasher, because the dishes will be with you for many years. All items must have the information “dishwasher safe” (can be washed in dishwashers) and “microwafe safe” (can be used in a microwave oven). Typically, porcelain decorated with precious metals is neither dishwasher safe nor microwave safe. But modern technologies have stepped far forward, so dishes with imitation precious metals have appeared on sale.

Porcelain service with blue patterns

Pay attention to the safety of cookware when in contact with food products. The legislation in this area is quite strict. The entity presenting products to the market is responsible for food safety. The importer or manufacturer must obtain sanitary certificates confirming that the content of substances hazardous to health does not exceed established standards. Proof of this safety is considered to be a symbol located on the product and a picture depicting a glass and fork.

Which porcelain is considered more valuable?

Bone china is considered the most valuable. This porcelain is made using bone ash. In the most valuable porcelain its content can be up to 65%. Such dishes are almost weightless, light and transparent, and at the same time very durable. Fairly wealthy people can afford bone china. If you have a choice, pay attention to this type of porcelain.

Tea set, bone china

1. Varieties of porcelain
2. Features of cold porcelain
3. Types of cold porcelain

Porcelain has become widespread as a substance for the manufacture of high-quality tableware. Antique items are especially valued, the cost of which can exceed several thousand dollars.

Varieties of porcelain

Porcelain is a type of clay ceramic that is highly durable. To obtain it, a mixture of kaolin, feldspar, clay and quartz is fired at temperatures up to 1500°C. Its main advantage is thermal and chemical strength.

There are several types of tableware porcelain: hard, soft and bone. At first glance, it is clear which porcelain is better - hard, of course. Items made from it are highly durable and have a noble white color.

Cold porcelain is very popular among craftsmen. It has nothing in common with its namesake, being a plastic mass for crafts. When comparing regular and cold porcelain, which is better is difficult to answer - they are used for different purposes: one is for creating tableware, the other is for modeling.

Features of cold porcelain

While it is impossible to reproduce high-temperature porcelain at home, even a child can make cold porcelain.

The main components of this plastic substance are starch and PVA glue. It got its name because of its external resemblance finished works with a high temperature analogue. Since the mixture dries on its own and does not require firing, it was called “cold porcelain.”

On the shelves of craft stores you can find many varieties of polymer clays that are superior in quality to porcelain. But this does not make it less fans because of its low cost. So, a self-made modeling compound is 10 times cheaper than a store-bought equivalent.

Types of cold porcelain

A wide range of products - from jewelry to household items - can be created from this versatile material. Floral compositions that completely recreate natural plants are especially popular.

You can also make a decoration such as a bracelet with your own hands.

Before choosing an object for creativity, you need to familiarize yourself with what types of porcelain are available and for what purposes a particular type is suitable. Its varieties:

• cellulose;
• EFAPLASTlight;
• ClayCraft by DECO;
• Super Elasticlay MOLDMAKER;
• CRAFTPORCELAIN.

Start getting acquainted with polymer clay better with cellulose plasticine. This is an easy-to-work plastic mass that, after drying, can be easily processed. So, a failed frozen element can be moistened with water and given new uniform. The only limitation is that the consistency of the substance does not allow working with small parts.

For creating large objects, EFAPLAST light and ClayCraft by DECO are best suited. From them you can create large leaves, baskets, stems, etc.

Super Elasticlay MOLDMAKER is universal - it allows you to make both large and miniature parts with equal success. If you need a base for creating extremely small parts, you can use CRAFTPORCELAIN. It dries quickly and interacts well with paints.

It is worth considering that the materials listed are not cheap; it is much easier to make porcelain with your own hands. To prepare it, you need to use 250 g of starch and PVA glue, a couple of tablespoons of glycerin, 1 spoon of nourishing hand cream, 0.5 tsp. citric acid. In a heat-resistant bowl, mix glue, glycerin, citric acid and cream until smooth and add starch in portions. The container with the mixture should be heated in a water bath or low heat, stirring constantly. When the substance ceases to be liquid and turns into a homogeneous lump, the cold porcelain is ready.

Porcelain tableware is a home accessory, about which they say “a house is a full bowl.” A porcelain tea set turns an ordinary breakfast into a ceremony. In fragile cups and plates, the taste of food and drink changes, and the full assortment of tea utensils on the table: cups, saucers, teapot, sugar bowl, milk jug - gives aesthetic pleasure to the owner and raises his self-esteem.

What is porcelain and what is it like?

Porcelain dishes are distinguished by whiteness, strength, and at the same time lightness and transparency. Porcelain is made from fired clay, kaolin and spar. Depending on the composition and method of processing the clay, the following types of porcelain are distinguished:

• soft;
• bone;
• hard (putty).

The classification is carried out depending on the amount of kaolin: the higher the concentration, the better the quality of the porcelain.

The latter variety is considered the best, real porcelain, from which luxury tableware is made. It is amazingly durable, heat resistant, and has virtually zero acid attack. Externally, the dishes made of hard porcelain are exquisitely transparent, snow-white, with the slightest hint of blue.

Soft porcelain contains a high concentration of glass-like components and a small percentage of clay. Such dishes are more transparent, but less white, not as durable and heat-resistant.

Bone china is so named because of the addition of lime from burnt bones. In terms of color, strength, hardness, and transparency, it is between the hard and soft varieties.

Depending on the type of material, the purpose of porcelain tableware is determined. The daily meal requires hard or bone china on the table; Transparent and fragile dishes made of soft material are most often used as decorative decorations.

World brands

In the world of porcelain, reputation and brand name mean almost everything. After all, they are the ones who guarantee compliance with environmental and hygienic safety standards. Having bought branded products, a person is sure that he will not get poisoned by consuming food from a brightly painted plate. Like centuries ago, today it is German (especially Meissen figurines), Russian, Chinese, French and English porcelain.

Such tableware and teaware are offered by well-known brands in the field of porcelain production:

• Augarten is a Viennese manufactory that has been producing premium products in strictly limited editions for three centuries. One hundred percent hand-made, produced for a specific occasion. These are special order family sets with monograms or coats of arms, collectible coffee cups or a set of 365 “plates of the year”.
• “Imperial Porcelain” is the first Russian porcelain factory; maintained production at full capacity. The company is a legend, a supplier to the royal court, producing sets that included up to a thousand items.
• Meissen is the oldest European brand. In almost three hundred years of history, no two identical products have been produced. All dishes and unique figurines are hand-painted; not a single reputable auction can do without them.
• Noritake is Japanese luxury with classic lines. Translucent in the light, decorated with gold and platinum. Particularly valued is environmentally friendly bone china with an olive tint, the recipe of which is a trade secret of the company. The sets are made in limited editions, after which the blanks are broken down, immediately turning the dishes into something exclusive. Oriental sophistication is complemented by practicality: the porcelain is dishwasher safe.
• Royal Albert has been producing bone white English porcelain for over a hundred years. It is not only beautiful, but also durable. Supplier to the Royal Household of Great Britain.
• Villeroy&Boch - produces bone utensils with decor of classic shapes in white and blue tones. Fans of asymmetry will be delighted by ethnic collections. All cookware is heat resistant and will not go in the microwave or dishwasher.

The marking in the form of a trademark is located on the bottom of the product on the outside.

If questions of prestige are not of concern, but only quality is of concern, it is worth knowing that products of different grades are equipped with a mark of the corresponding color: the first grade is red, the second is blue, the third is green.

Where is porcelain used?

Porcelain is traditionally and widely used as a material for making sets and individual items for eating.

Porcelain kitchenware is considered the most elite in this segment. It is much more prestigious than glass, earthenware or any other. It is a symbol of wealth, not subject to time or fashion trends, required element festive table setting.

There are different types of porcelain tableware: tableware, coffee and tea; exclusive for special occasions or everyday use.

Expensive tea or table sets made of hard porcelain, valued for their perfect whiteness, durability and heat resistance, are an attribute of luxury restaurants, private meals of high-status persons or rich people. In ordinary homes, if there is, for example, real English porcelain, they take it out of the sideboard on holidays. For every day, simpler tableware is in demand: cups, plates, saucers in a budget design. But they are still more prestigious than heavier and opaque earthenware.

One of the latest fashion trends among rich people is porcelain in interior style.

The second area of ​​use of porcelain is figurines, figurines and other small plastic pieces used for interior decoration. Along with traditional fashionable hobbies, people began to make figurines or flowers from cold porcelain.

The composition is so called because it is prepared at room temperature or over low heat. Need water to work baking soda, starch, vegetable oil. The mixture is heated. Without any heat treatment, a composition of starch, petroleum jelly, soda and PVA glue is used. There are also similar mixtures with the addition of dyes. But in any case, handmade crafts from cold porcelain are exclusive and can become a source of pride or the start of a business.

Decor

Porcelain dishes can have embossed or smooth, monochrome or multi-colored decor.

The relief is applied to plates or cup walls by engraving or perforation. It is cast in special form together with the dishes, however, some elements are made separately and then glued on.

Smooth decor is done under or above the glaze. For example, Chinese dishes have an underglaze treatment: blue painting on a white background. The design is applied to the workpiece, which, together with the glaze, is then sent for firing. The overglaze method means painting porcelain dishes with colored enamel. The use of this technique is limited by the meager palette.

The classic is always at the peak of popularity: white porcelain dishes without any decorations. The highest grades of porcelain do not need them - the “breed” is already clearly visible. The only difference is in the design of the forms, but it is also elegantly restrained.

For fans of everything bright, sets with original colorful design surfaces.

Experts do not advise buying sets or individual items from little-known manufacturers, brightly decorated in combination with mother-of-pearl - cadmium or lead may be found there.

Caring for porcelain products

The main characteristics of porcelain tableware are strength and durability with careful care. The vulnerable side is darkening and loss of the original immaculate appearance during use, but this is not critical if you know how to clean it correctly. The original shine and whiteness can be restored in several ways:

• wiping the dishes with a soft sponge dipped in turpentine;
• traces of coffee, tea or other drinks are wiped with a strong solution of soda or salt;
• other stains are removed with a warm, weak solution of ammonia;
• Do not leave porcelain dishes in water for a long time;
• Dishes with a pattern are washed with not too hot water;
• beautiful dishes do not like household chemicals, especially abrasive powders that can scratch the surface;
• It is better to wash with products created specifically for porcelain or with non-aggressive low-active ones, for example, soap;
• It is better if porcelain dishes are washed by hand, cleaned separately from other utensils, with a soft sponge;
• while washing, you need to remove rings and rings so as not to scratch it;
• Dishes with metal decor should not be placed in the microwave or dishwasher under any circumstances;
• The washed dishes are wiped with a soft cloth and immediately set to dry.

Rarely used porcelain plates are laid out with white paper or napkins, and cups are not stacked to prevent the handles from getting knocked off.

Quality control

Appearance largely determines the quality of porcelain tableware. Visual assessment criteria:

• Aesthetic appeal: the service, sugar bowl or plate is pleasant to look at.
• Real porcelain is not decorated with lavish decorations; the design is only partially present.
• In the light material best quality transparent, with shades of milk, cream or freshly fallen snow. You can determine the real shade of the product by looking at its bottom.
• In the normal or inverted position, cups or plates are stable, do not wobble or tilt.
• The glaze should be free of cracks, inclusions, and scratches.
• There is always an unpainted rim on the bottom, which allows you to evaluate the original color of the porcelain.
• Hearing test. High-quality porcelain, if you knock on it lightly, emits a light melodic ringing.
• Tactile test. Porcelain, even impressive in appearance, is actually light. High-quality dishes are distinguished by pleasant smoothness, rounded edges or decorative details, the absence of gaps, chips, porous inclusions, roughness, and bubbles.

For example, genuine English porcelain is recognized by its smooth outlines, subtlety, delicate artistic work, and the predominance of floral motifs.

Real porcelain is sold only in large specialized stores or authorized dealers with the necessary documentation.

Investment object

Very profitable investment can become antique porcelain dishes - its price never falls, but only rises.

An antique porcelain cup or plate requires care, but it decorates the interior of any style. Collectors also love figurines, especially from Meissen. The price of well-preserved examples of world brands reaches thousands of dollars at auctions. The coveted object of the hunt for connoisseurs is the rarities of the Imperial Porcelain Factory, once made for the royal family of Russia.

Nice gift, useful hobby

If you don’t know what to give a person, feel free to buy a cup and saucer for tea. This porcelain tea set is sometimes complemented by a spoon and a glass for water. A gift is appropriate in almost any occasion - everyone loves to drink tea.

Visiting a restaurant is an opportunity not only to eat deliciously, but also to have a good time. A beautifully set table with exclusive china will add sophistication and uniqueness to even an ordinary dinner - nuances that distinguish high-level restaurants and cafes from ordinary catering establishments.

The right choice of serving items for a restaurant will enable the establishment to create its own unique style. In today's fierce competition, this is important. The main requirements for professional tableware in the restaurant business are reliability and durability, combined with creative design and an adequate price.

When choosing porcelain tableware, a restaurateur often faces a dilemma: earthenware or porcelain. And in order to find a solution, it is necessary first of all to evaluate the advantages of high-quality porcelain tableware compared to other types of ceramics.

Advantages and disadvantages of porcelain tableware

So, the advantages of elite porcelain tableware:

• Grace, sophistication, beauty, classic forms.
• First class quality.
• Environmentally friendly and safe for health.
• Ideal glazed surface.
• Moisture absorption below 0.2%. For comparison: for earthenware - 9~12%.
• Ability to retain heat.
• Resistance to aggressive detergents.
• Resistance to mechanical stress when processed in a dishwasher.
• Ease of stacking and storage;
• Resistant to aging.

Porcelain dishes are still ceramics, although high-quality, so they require careful handling and cannot be tolerated strong blows and this is its main drawback.

Prices for high-quality porcelain are quite high, which is also a disadvantage for budget establishments.

Types of porcelain

Porcelain is a type of fine ceramic made by sintering kaolin, a high-quality white clay, at high temperatures, mixed with quartz sand, feldspar and other additives.

Good porcelain is distinguished by translucency, lightness, and a clear melodic echo when struck.

There are several types of porcelain, differing in heat treatment technology and composition:

• Soft. The porcelain mass with the applied glaze undergoes one sintering procedure at 1300~1350°. This gentle firing makes the ceramic porous and absorbs moisture. Soft porcelain is prone to internal cracks. It is usually inexpensive and is used in budget establishments,
• Solid. Double heat treatment at 1400~1460°. Such porcelain is valued in middle-class establishments. Its cost is already quite high, but it fully corresponds to the quality.

Based on hard porcelain, there are two more varieties:

• Hardened. It contains strength-enhancing metals. Dishes are not cheap; they are preferred by owners of high-level restaurants and clubs.
• Bone. Up to 50% bone meal is added to its structure. This makes porcelain especially durable, and at the same time refined, thin-walled, with a beautiful dazzling white or creamy hue. Bone china belongs to the VIP category and is very expensive. Dishes made from it are rarely used on a daily basis; more often they can be found at banquets and receptions of the highest level.

Porcelain tableware for restaurants

Selection of porcelain dishes

Specifics restaurant business places a number of requirements on cookware that should be taken into account when choosing. Specialists are guided by three golden rules:

1. Practicality and durability. For establishments Catering It is better to use dishes with thickened edges and made of high-quality, resistant material. You should pay attention to the resistance of ceramics to various thermal conditions.
2. Form. Dishes with simple forms more suitable for everyday use. For example, round and oval plates stack better and are less susceptible to chipping at the corners, as happens with triangular or square ones.
3. Color. Dishes in light shades, typical of porcelain, always look beautiful on the table. By the way, sometimes you can replace an accidentally broken item from one light-colored set with another similar one from another.

Main manufacturing companies

The modern market offers porcelain tableware from the world's leading manufacturers, capable of satisfying the most demanding needs.

German companies

German Seltmann Weiden porcelain is elite tableware for high-level establishments:

• The latest fashion trends and unusual design solutions are embodied in the company’s bright and creative collections:
• SAVOY - a contrast between classic and modern. Perfectly thought out color and style. Along with soft rounded shapes, unusually asymmetrical outlines also appeared. Dishes from this series are always unique.
• MERAN is devoid of any decoration, but graceful forms and calm classic lines and colors have become its true decoration.
• MOZART in luxurious baroque style. The relief decorative ornament emphasizes the subtle elegance of the dishes. A very suitable option for social receptions and VIP banquets.

Founded in 1879, SCHÖNWALD is one of the largest companies in Germany.

The SCHÖNWALD trademark - a stylized herringbone - can be found on dishes in restaurants at Sheraton, Hilton, Marriott and other hotels. Porcelain dishes based on the legendary formula of Herman Grech, produced since 1936, are still a huge success.

Last fashion trend SCHÖNWALD is reflected in the WellCome series.

Designer Karsten Golnik created it in a distinctive asymmetrical style. Thanks to additives from aluminum oxide the products have become reliable in use and acquired a special shine and shade, changing from blue in daylight to beige in evening light.

Prices are high, but quite consistent with German quality. For example, a Seltmann Weiden table set of 24 items for 6 people - from 22.5 thousand rubles.

Lyudmila Dashkovetskaya, manager of the tableware department of the Delovaya Rus company, shares her impressions:

• It is difficult to overestimate the products of German manufacturers: they are always in demand. Buyers choose it for its wide range, excellent quality and durability, and elegant design, which is always suitable for establishments of various formats.

Russian companies

The most famous porcelain producing companies in Russia:

• The Dulevo porcelain factory is one of the oldest, founded in 1832. A distinctive feature of the products is the original painting in folk style, the so-called agashki. Porcelain is particularly durable, transparent and resistant to glaze.
• Kubanfarfor has been one of the largest manufacturers of porcelain and earthenware products since 1960. The company's trademark is a soaring seagull. Porcelain is made from semi-finished products supplied from China. The plant's products are chosen by many budget establishments in the country: having decent quality, the dishes have very affordable prices.

Olga Zueva, specialist in the department of integrated equipment of retail facilities, says:

• Porcelain products from domestic manufacturers are presented in a wide range and in affordable prices. It is always in demand by mid-level catering establishments, who prefer it for its practicality and presentable appearance.

Czech companies

Czech porcelain produced by Rudolf Kämpf is known under three brands:

• Actually Rudolf Kämpf - Handmade premium class for an exclusive consumer.
• Leander - tableware and porcelain products for consumers in the mass‑market segment.
• Leander HoReCa - professional porcelain tableware for hotels and restaurants.

The products of Rudolf Kämpf are very diverse and at the same time original. The factory's craftsmen also create exclusive tableware in various styles: romantic, futuristic, art deco, etc. Designers are constantly finding new solutions, embodying them in porcelain, for example, products based on the masterpieces of Salvador Dali.

Prices for products vary: from very affordable for Leander HoReCa porcelain to high for dishes for individual use.

Yulia Artyukhova, brand manager at RADIUS, shares her impressions of the dishes:

• Professional tableware from the Czech factory Rudolf Kämpf creates new possibilities for serving. Excellent products often unusual shapes and avant-garde design solutions. The quality is simply amazing. This type of cookware is very pleasant to use. The warmth put in by the craftsmen emanates from it.

Good porcelain is an excellent quality of materials that form the basis of porcelain dough, as well as the complexity of the manufacturing process and the quality of the design, which should look modern both today and in several decades. Porcelain dishes are now not only part of the table setting, but also a decorative element of the interior.

The secret of good porcelain

The birthplace of porcelain is China. For two whole centuries, Chinese emperors were the “exclusive distributors” of porcelain tableware in the medieval world. How many spy passions raged around the secret of this fragile material! But the Chinese knew how to keep secrets, and the Europeans had no choice but to discover their own recipe for making porcelain. This happened at the court of the Saxon Emperor Augustus in 1708. And soon numerous porcelain manufactories began to open throughout Germany, and then the rest of Europe. Some of the currently existing European brands originated back then. But the glory of Chinese porcelain is a thing of the past - nowadays the best porcelain is produced in Europe. Germany and Great Britain are in the lead here, with the Germans retaining absolute primacy.

The “three pillars” of good porcelain are the quality of the materials that make up the porcelain dough, the labor intensity of the complex manufacturing process and the quality of the design, which should look modern both today and in 20 years. So high level Only companies with an established production tradition and, as a rule, more than a century of history will be able to provide. A properly selected service should fit into the interior and match the mood of the meal.

Several types of porcelain

Solid porcelain. It is distinguished by its strength, excellent resistance to heat and acids. The famous transparency combined with a clear bell sound are the properties of hard porcelain. This type of porcelain is called Meissen, after the name of the area in which the chemist Johann Bötger “reinvented” porcelain almost three hundred years ago, deciphering the recipe for Chinese porcelain. The British call it "bone china". Therefore, when you see such markings on the bottom, do not think that they have given you a Chinese counterfeit.

Soft porcelain. It is also called artistic or by the method of its manufacture - frit. Compared to hard porcelain, soft porcelain is more transparent, the white color is sometimes almost creamy, but the heat resistance of soft porcelain is lower. Soft porcelain in Europe was invented almost 200 years earlier than hard porcelain. Invented in Florence, this porcelain is often called Medici porcelain. Porcelain dishes are distinguished by their special elegance, lightness and durability. Porcelain can long time keep warm. When you lightly strike the edge of a piece of porcelain, it produces a clear, long-lasting sound.

Bone china. This is the so-called intermediate type of porcelain. This is a matte-transparent, thin and durable material, which is a kind of compromise between hard and soft porcelain. Its composition was discovered in England, and its production began there almost 250 years ago. Bone china is more durable and harder than soft china, less permeable, but with a rather soft glaze. The color of bone china is not as white as hard china, but whiter than soft china.

The quality of the porcelain mass depends on the content of kaolin (white clay, which affects the color of the product), on the fineness of grinding of the powder from which the clay was mixed, and a whole series of other things. technological features. The color of porcelain dishes should be delicate and warm (the color of cream). If gray-blue shades predominate in it, this indicates a lower quality of the material. The fineness of grinding and the purity of the porcelain mass can be easily checked by peering into the reflection on the surface of the dish - any impurities, if any, can be “read” in it. This is why good porcelain is never completely painted. The “white body of porcelain,” as experts call it, should be emphasized, not disguised. As for the shape of the product, here we mean, first of all, the usual geometric accuracy. A plate or cup turned upside down should lie against the table surface along the entire length of the rim and not wobble. According to the method of applying the design, porcelain is divided into hand-painted (or, as it is also called, manufactured, decal and relief. Manufactured porcelain is always hand-painted. It has existed since the 14th century, and in our time it is made exclusively to order. This is by no means tableware for everyday consumption, and in our country it has just begun to reappear. The price of such a service is comparable to the price of a Rolls-Royce. A decal is something like decals. The technology for producing relief decor differs significantly from the usual smooth one. The relief is embedded directly in the material itself an object in any way - engraving, perforation, relief-like overstatements. Cup, saucer, teapot either they are cast in molds along with the relief, or the relief or, in other words, plastic parts of the decor, that is, flowers, leaves, figures are formed separately and then glued on.

Interesting

In conclusion, one cannot help but say about Russian porcelain. The first and most famous porcelain factory in Russia was built near St. Petersburg under Empress Elizabeth in 1744 and named Imperial, now Lomonosov. Russian masters, like Western Europeans not long before, unraveled the secret of the porcelain mass on their own. The discoverer of domestic porcelain was Dmitry Ivanovich Vinogradov. Using newly discovered technology, in 1750 the factory produced the “Own” service with an incredible number of items especially for the Empress. They were all painted with purple netting and small flowers. But still, the most popular product of the Lomonosov plant was the “Cobalt Mesh” tea set produced after the war. It is the most widely circulated analogue of the imperial service, well known to many Russians.

Experts believe that despite the active supply of tableware on the market from other materials - metal, plastic, glass - porcelain tableware has been and remains the favorite in sales.

Porcelain(Turkish farfur, fagfur, from Persian fegfur) - a type of ceramic that is impenetrable to water and gas. It is translucent in a thin layer. When lightly struck with a wooden stick, it produces a characteristic high clear sound. Depending on the shape and thickness of the product, the tone may be different.

Porcelain is usually produced by high-temperature firing of a fine mixture of kaolin, quartz, feldspar and plastic clay (this porcelain is called feldspar).

Porcelain is distinguished by the composition of the mass (hard, soft, bone) and by the nature of the paintings (underglaze, overglaze). Expensive collectible varieties of porcelain are named after the place of production or the surname of the factory owners or inventors

Types of porcelain

Having touched on the topic of the variety of porcelain products, it is impossible not to talk about the different types of the material itself. Depending on the composition of the porcelain mass, soft or hard porcelain is obtained. Soft porcelain differs from hard porcelain not in hardness, but in the fact that when firing soft porcelain, more liquid phase is formed than when firing hard porcelain, and therefore there is a higher risk of deformation of the workpiece during firing.
There is also an intermediate type of porcelain called bone, like a type of soft porcelain.
Hard porcelain It is distinguished by its strength, excellent resistance to high temperatures and acids. World-famous transparency combined with a bell-like sound is a property of hard porcelain. This type of porcelain was called "Meissen" (after the name of a small town in Saxony, in eastern Germany, where almost three hundred years ago the chemist Johann Böttger invented the new kind porcelain). Soft porcelain, developed in Florence two centuries earlier than hard porcelain, is called Medici porcelain. But today you can increasingly hear the term “fritted porcelain”, which refers to the manufacturing method. Soft porcelain, which is used mainly for artistic products, is more transparent than hard porcelain, but its heat resistance is much lower. A compromise between soft and hard porcelain is bone china. The composition of bone china was discovered in England, and its production began there about 250 years ago. In its properties, bone china occupies an intermediate position between hard and soft porcelain. Bone is not as white as hard porcelain, and is more durable and harder than soft porcelain.

Story

Porcelain was first produced in 620 in China. The method of its manufacture was kept secret for a long time, and only in 1708 did the Saxon experimenters Tschirnhaus and Böttger manage to obtain European porcelain.

Attempts to declassify Oriental porcelain continued for almost two centuries in Italy, France and England. However, the result was materials that vaguely resembled porcelain and were closer to glass.

Johann Friedrich Böttger (1682-1719) began to conduct experiments in the creation of porcelain, which in 1707/1708 led to the creation of "rothes Porcelain" (red porcelain) - fine ceramics, jasper porcelain.

However, real porcelain had yet to be created. Chemistry, as a science in its modern understanding, did not yet exist. Neither in China or Japan, nor in Europe, raw materials for the production of ceramics could yet be determined in terms of chemical composition. The same applied to the technology used. The process of porcelain production is carefully documented in the travel accounts of missionaries and merchants, but the processes used could not be inferred from these reports. For example, the notes of the Jesuit priest François Xavier d'Entrecole (English) Russian, containing the secret of the technology for the production of Chinese porcelain, made by him in 1712, but became known to the general public only in 1735, are known.

Understanding the basic principle underlying the porcelain production process, namely the need to fire the mixture various types soils - those that are easily fused and those that are more difficult to fusion - arose as a result of long systematic experiments based on experience and knowledge of geological, metallurgical and “alchemical-chemical” relationships. It is believed that the experiments to create white porcelain were carried out simultaneously with the experiments to create "rothes Porcelain", since just two years later, in 1709 or 1710, white porcelain was already more or less ready for production.

It should be noted that Chinese porcelain, from a modern point of view, is soft porcelain, since it contains significantly less kaolin than hard European porcelain; it is also fired at a lower temperature and is less durable.

Experts and scientists from various specialties worked together with Böttger to create solid European porcelain. European hard porcelain (pate dure) was a completely new product in the field of ceramics.

At the end of December 1707, a successful experimental firing of white porcelain was carried out. The first laboratory notes on usable porcelain mixtures date back to January 15, 1708. On April 24, 1708, an order was given to create a porcelain manufactory in Dresden. The first examples of porcelain fired in July 1708 were unglazed. By March 1709, Böttger had solved this problem, but he did not present glazed porcelain samples to the king until 1710.

In 1710, at the Easter fair in Leipzig, salable "jasper porcelain" tableware was presented, as well as examples of glazed and unglazed white porcelain.

In Russia, the secret of producing hard porcelain was rediscovered by Lomonosov's associate D.I. Vinogradov in the late 1740s. The manufactory in St. Petersburg, where he worked, eventually turned into the Imperial Porcelain Factory, better known in the USSR under the abbreviation LFZ.

Chinese porcelain

Porcelain was invented in China in the 4th-6th centuries. This discovery was facilitated by rich deposits of kaolin (Chinese clay). The surviving products are elongated vessels with a smooth polished surface, often with molded decoration, in light colors. In the Tang (7-10 centuries) and Song (10-13 centuries) eras, blue and pale green vases with relief ornaments, which in Europe were called “celadon” (the main place of Longquan production), were exported to Asian and European countries. These vases and jugs had shapes reminiscent of ancient vessels, often with dragon-shaped handles and animal-shaped necks. Then came milky-white “bei-ding” vessels from Dingzhou with an extruded design, blue “zhu-yao” products, and “jin-yao” vessels decorated with glaze from Henan province. Starting from the 14th century during the Ming era (14-17 centuries), Jingdezhen became the leading center for porcelain production, where the production of products decorated with lead glazes of three colors (sancai) or underglaze cobalt blue painting, which was often combined with overglaze painting (doucai), was established. . During the Ming era, porcelain figurines became popular.

Based on the predominance of colors in painting, Chinese porcelain in Europe began to be divided into families: pink, green, yellow, black. What attracted me to these products was the refinement of their shapes and the cleanliness of their surfaces. Products made from the so-called flaming porcelain with flambé glaze captivated people with the colorfulness of their surface. In connection with the export of porcelain to the West, the subject matter of painting began to expand: subjects drawn from European engravings and custom-made heraldic figures appeared on the products.

In the 18th century, the shapes of products lose their exquisite simplicity and become more elaborate. The surface often imitates varnish, expensive bronze, gold, and other materials. Subsequently, Chinese porcelain experienced decline and stagnation of artistic forms.

Porcelain from Korea and Japan

Porcelain has been known in Korea since the 10th century. Pure whites dominate, as well as those with underglaze cobalt painting. The discovery of kaolin deposits in Japan at the beginning of the 17th century led to the establishment of the first Japanese porcelain manufactory in Arita, which began to produce blue and white porcelain, decorated celadon, as well as products with black and brown glazes. Particularly famous were products in the Imari style (from the name of the port through which Japanese porcelain was exported to Europe) with the finest polychrome underglaze painting with enamels on a white background and in the Kakiemon style (named after the creator of a new type of decor) with original overglaze painting in the form of flowers, birds, butterflies. Western European products in the kakiemon style, created according to Japanese models and were in great demand, are widely known.

Porcelain in Germany

In Western Europe, in Florence, under the patronage of the Medici, soft porcelain with a light shard covered with lead glaze was discovered in the 16th century. Outwardly, it looked like Venetian milk glass and was painted with cobalt. A true revolution in the history of Western European porcelain production was the invention of hard porcelain in 1709 by the German alchemist I. Bettger together with the physicist E. Tschirnhaus. Soon a porcelain manufactory was founded in Saxony, which for fifty years had no equal (see Meissen porcelain). Meissen porcelain owes much of its fame to the remarkable artist Johann Heroldt, who created skillful products in the chinoiserie style and invented a decor of seemingly living flowers, called “German flowers,” as well as to the outstanding sculptor Johann Kändler, known for his small sculptures in the Rococo style.

The secret of porcelain did not remain within the walls of Meissen for long. All over Europe they are working on declassification. The center of porcelain production is shifting to Vienna and Venice, where porcelain factories are created, each with its own style. In the second half of the 18th century, new ceramic factories appeared in Germany in Nymphenburg, where the famous Rococo master Franz Bustelli worked, in Hoechst, also famous for the works in the Rococo style of Johann Melchior, in Berlin, in Ludwigsburg and other cities.

Porcelain in France

In the first half of the 18th century, manufactories operated in France in Rouen, Saint-Cloud, Mennesy, Chantilly, and Vincennes, producing elite items from soft porcelain. Vincennes porcelain was distinguished by its high skill in casting porcelain flowers in the Rococo style. True hard porcelain appeared in France only in the last third of the 18th century. The true trendsetter since the 1750s was French Sèvres porcelain, which was produced at the manufactory in Sèvres from 1756.

The manufactory was under the patronage of Louis XV and his favorites, Madame DuBarry and Madame Pompadour. One of the classic colors of Sevres porcelain is called "Pompadour roses". Talented artists and sculptors (Francois Boucher, Claude Duplessis) were attracted to work in Sevres. Special place were occupied by biscuit sculptures.

English porcelain

English porcelain of the 18th century also received worldwide recognition. In terms of the number of ceramic factories, England at that time consistently ranked first in Europe. Unlike continental European factories, which were under the financial patronage of august families or other noble persons, English enterprises acted on on a commercial basis and when determining their production program, they took into account market conditions. Real porcelain was created in England quite later; products improved by J. Wedgwood were widespread.

Founded in 1745, the Chelsea factory produced English versions of products in the Oriental and Rococo styles. Chelsea porcelain is characterized by original tureens in the shape of animals or vegetables, plates with floral patterns, elegant perfume bottles, snuff boxes, pin boxes, and bonbonnieres. In 1769 Chelsea was sold and merged with the Derby factory. The Bow factory, opened in 1744, was one of the largest English ceramics factories of the time. It is also known as "New Canton" due to the production of blue and white porcelain with the addition of bone ash in the Chinoiserie style. In Bow, the technique of imprinting from a printing plate onto a porcelain surface was first mastered.

The Worcester ceramics factory, founded in 1791, was the first to produce tea and coffee sets with the addition of soapstone. Mass production in the style of Meissen, Sevres and Oriental porcelain was established here. Among other English factories founded in the 18th century, it is necessary to highlight the factories in Derby (1750-1848), specializing in the production of both figurines and fine tableware, in Coalport, which is characterized by products decorated with inlaid flowers, in New Hall ( Staffordshire), which produced exotic tableware in an oriental style, pink pallets with wildflower decorations.

At the beginning of the 19th century, at a company in Stoke-on-Trent (opened in 1776), J. Spode invented bone china, from which they began to produce products in the English Empire style. Spode's closest competitor was Minton porcelain (the factory was founded in 1793); Victorian-style art ceramics are also known. In the 19th century, porcelain production became increasingly oriented towards the mass consumer, the artistic side receded into the background, but already from the end of the 19th century, the art ceramics of Doulton, Spode in England, as well as Rookwood and Wright in the USA began to develop intensively. Modern products dating back to the 20th century bear a strong imprint of functionalism.

Danish porcelain

At the end of the 18th century, the later famous royal ceramic factory was founded in Copenhagen, where the subsequently widespread “Danish” technique of underglaze painting, which had the property of not being erased by time, began to be used. The Copenhagen factory created the famous Flora Danica service with extraordinary beauty of floral patterns.

Russian porcelain

In 1744, the Porcelain Manufactory was founded in St. Petersburg, where three years later D. I. Vinogradov discovered a method for producing hard porcelain from local materials. Since 1765, the Porcelain Manufactory began to be called the Imperial Porcelain Factory. The company produced simple and elegant vases, sets, snuff boxes and other products. From the day of its foundation, the plant worked on orders from the imperial court.

In 1766, in the village of Verbilki near Dmitrov near Moscow, the private factory of F. Ya. Gardner (now the Verbilok Porcelain factory) was founded, where magnificent “order” services were produced by order of the imperial court, figurines, vases, services that combined empire forms with a genre interpretation of visual motifs. In the village of Gorbunovo, Moscow province, A. G. Popov’s factory produced genre figures that were very popular and distinguished by good taste and light folk humor. The largest entrepreneur was M. S. Kuznetsov, who bought up the Gardner factories, factories in Dulevo near Moscow (founded in 1832), Konakovo and others. Kuznetsov porcelain is distinguished by its impeccable technical performance and exquisite, but eclectic decor. Kuznetsov's factories also produced earthenware.

Contemporary porcelain

Since the end of the 20th century, porcelain production has become increasingly widespread. Mechanical methods are being introduced in all countries. The image is obtained using stamps, stencils, layering, and decalcomania. In general, only at the Copenhagen factory they strive to create aesthetically new forms and paintings that are in tune with the quest of modernity. Many enterprises in different countries produce products based on old developments.

In Russia, after the revolution, propaganda porcelain was created at the former Imperial Porcelain Factory, the aesthetics of which are close to the aesthetics of the Russian avant-garde. At the same time, later the products of Russian enterprises become significantly worse: they often borrow easel forms, and there is no correspondence between paintings and forms. Many products are too flashy, overloaded with gilding, and the shard has become significantly worse. At the same time, at a number of Soviet enterprises, products are painted by hand. Elegant small plastic continues to be produced at the porcelain factory named after. Lomonosov, old Kuznetsov models are produced here, and they continue painting with cobalt.

By the way

Some manufacturers mark their porcelain products on the bottom with the designation "CHINA. Made in -–". Buyers are often confused by this phrase. But connoisseurs know the answer for sure: “CHINA” is the international designation for high-quality bone china. It came from a distorted title of the Chinese emperor, who in ancient times had a monopoly on the production of table porcelain. Sometimes the mark of porcelain manufacturing factories bears the words Fine Bone China, which means real bone china. Now bone china is more popular than ever. This is also true for Royal Fine China tableware. With its pure white color, transparency and lightness, but at the same time unsurpassed strength, bone china has firmly taken a leading place on the shelves of true connoisseurs and even collectors of porcelain. It is believed that bone china has no analogues in its quality and strength in the whole world.

According to British quality standards, porcelain is called Bone China if the content of bone components in it exceeds 35%. Bone china is characterized by milky white color, transparency and weightlessness, and has won an excellent reputation and a leading sales position in the global market.

The inscription Fine Bone China means real bone china.

Ceramics

The word "ceramics" comes from Greek word"keramos", and this group - the group of ceramic products - includes faience and porcelain and bone china.

Fine ceramics in turn are divided into:

• porous ceramics (faience, semi-porcelain, majolica)


• dense ceramics (porcelain, bone china)

Porcelain and earthenware differ in their composition. Faience characterized by a large amount of clay (up to 85% by weight), fairly low mechanical strength, high porosity and, as a consequence, high absorption up to 20%. In this regard, all earthenware products must be covered with glazes. As a rule, all colored mugs are earthenware mugs with special glazes. The firing temperature of faience is within 1050 - 1280 degrees Celsius.

Porcelain this is the same ceramics, but it contains much less clay and more other components - kaolins, quartz, feldspars (orthoclases). These components increase the “vitreousness” of porcelain, increase its transparency, eliminate porosity, and give increased mechanical strength to porcelain products. Porcelain firing temperature is 1200-1460 degrees Celsius. As a rule, glaze is always used, but the glaze is translucent, which practically does not differ from the color of the porcelain itself.

Bone china or Bone China invented in England. The amount of calcium phosphate in the bone china mass can reach 25-50% of the total volume. This explains the high cost of products made from Bone China or bone china. Products made from bone china are distinguished by their exceptional whiteness, translucency and, at the same time, high fragility.

What is the difference between ceramics and porcelain

Without focusing on whether the question is asked correctly - what is the difference between ceramics and porcelain or what is the difference between earthenware and ceramics - the interest is on the main thing.
How do porcelain mugs differ in appearance from earthenware mugs? The first and most basic thing is that both earthenware and porcelain belong to the same group, which is called ceramics or ceramic products. In order to distinguish porcelain mugs from earthenware, you can take several mugs and try to determine which mugs are porcelain and which are earthenware

1. Turn the mug over and look at the bottom unglazed edge of the mug. If the lower unglazed edge of the mug (shard) is white, approximately the same as the mug itself, then it is most likely porcelain (photo on the left). In faience, as a rule, the shard is light gray, beige, or significantly different in color from the color of the glaze of the mug itself (photo on the right).

2. Raise the mug and if you feel that it is too heavy and its walls are too thick for its size and volume, then it is most likely a faience mug.

3. Porcelain is usually translucent and thin-walled items may be partially translucent. Faience is completely opaque and always covered with glaze.

4. If the mug is colored, then, as a rule, it is a mug made of earthenware. There are also colored porcelain mugs, but they are, as a rule, very rare, really expensive and distinguished by their thin walls and elegance.

The given examples will allow you to answer the question “what is the difference between earthenware and porcelain” with almost 100% certainty and always distinguish them. And you can avoid the questions “what is the difference between ceramics and porcelain” or “what is the difference between earthenware and ceramics”. Both porcelain and earthenware are types of ceramics that differ in their composition. And all faience mugs, like porcelain mugs, belong to ceramics.

Verbilki

Lomonosov porcelain

Dulevo porcelain

It is a type of ceramic. Porcelain products are products obtained by sintering high-grade white clay (kaolin) with the addition of quartz, feldspar and other impurities. As a result of firing, the resulting material becomes waterproof, white, clear, translucent in a thin layer, without pores. Pottery is an art that has been practiced since ancient times by various cultures around the world.

Porcelain is believed to have been invented in China in the 6th-8th centuries AD, a thousand years before it was produced in Europe. In this regard, the word "China" (China (English)) became synonymous with porcelain (Chinese porcelain). For a long time Chinese craftsmen kept the technology of its production secret. However, after 500 years, China’s neighbors, the Koreans, learned to produce so-called “hard” porcelain, that is, products made from white clay that are subjected to high-temperature firing. IN Central Asia porcelain arrived via the Silk Road in the 9th century. Closer to XVI century Japan, and then European manufacturers, mastered the secret of making porcelain tableware. It was only at the end of the 17th century that porcelain production began in the United States.

Porcelain differs from other types of ceramics in its composition and manufacturing process. The two simplest types of ceramics, earthenware and stoneware, are made using only natural clay that is fired. In most cases, such products are coated with a glassy substance called glaze. Unlike earthenware and stoneware, porcelain is made from a mixture of two components - kaolin and Chinese stone (a type of feldspar). Kaolin is a pure white clay that forms when the mineral feldspar breaks down. Chinese stone is ground into powder and mixed with kaolin. This mixture is fired at a temperature of 1250°C to 1450°C). At such high temperatures, Chinese stone is sintered, that is, fused and forms a non-porous, natural glass. Kaolin, which is very resistant to heat, does not melt and allows the product to retain its shape. The process is completed when the Chinese stone is fused with kaolin.

Types of porcelain

There are several types of porcelain, which differ from each other in production technology, quality characteristics and properties.

The main types are:
. soft porcelain;
. hard (high temperature) porcelain;
. bone china.

Hard porcelain (high temperature porcelain)

Solid (real or natural) porcelain has always been the standard and example of perfection for porcelain creators. This is porcelain, which the Chinese were the first to produce from kaolin and Chinese stone. The proportions of kaolin and Chinese stone in the composition of hard porcelain can be different. It is believed that the more kaolin in porcelain, the stronger it is. Hard porcelain is usually quite heavy, opaque, white with a hint of gray, and the enlarged surface resembles an egg shell due to small pits.

The technology for producing hard porcelain is quite complex, since the production of this type of porcelain requires a very high firing temperature (1400-1600 °C), and the product is fired repeatedly. Hard porcelain is strong, but breaks quite easily. It has a blue or gray tint if not subjected to special treatment. However, the materials used to make this type of porcelain are not expensive, and the quality of hard porcelain is inferior to that of bone china. Accordingly, hard china has a lower price than bone china.

Bone china

Bone china is a special type of hard porcelain with the addition of burnt bone. Bone china is very durable, and it is particularly white and transparent. Strength is achieved by melting the main ingredients during the firing process.

Bone china was first created in England during attempts to recreate the formula for making Chinese porcelain, famous in Europe. At the end of the 18th century, bone ash began to be added to the porcelain mass. In the process of developing this technology, it was developed basic formula for making bone china: 25% kaolin (special white clay), 25% feldspar mixed with quartz and 50% burnt animal bones. The first firing is done at a temperature of 1200-1300 °C, the second firing is carried out at a temperature of 1050-1100 °C. To be used as part of a porcelain mass, bones are treated in a special way to remove glue from them and heated to a temperature of approximately 1000 °C, while all organic matter are burned and the bone structure changes to a state suitable for the production of bone china.

Thanks to its milky white color, transparency and durability, bone china has gained an excellent reputation and a leading position in sales in the world market. The distinctive features of bone china dishes are lightness, thin-walledness and transparency (fingers can be seen through the walls in the light). There is no eggshell effect - this is achieved by the fact that all the voids between the particles of white clay are filled with bone ash.

Soft porcelain

Soft (sometimes called cultured) porcelain was created European masters, who tried to reproduce Chinese hard porcelain. They tried to create a hard, white and transparent material from a variety of ingredients and obtained soft porcelain by mixing finely ground clay with a glassy substance. Soft porcelain is fired at lower temperatures than hard porcelain, so it does not sinter completely, meaning it remains slightly porous. The first European soft porcelain is believed to have been produced in Florence, Italy, around 1575. In the 18th century, France became the leading producer of soft porcelain. The first manufactories for the production of soft porcelain were opened in Rouen, Saint-Cloud, Lille and Chantilly.

Soft porcelain has its advantages over hard porcelain. Most items made from it are cream in color, which some people prefer to the milky white color of solid porcelain. In addition, the paints that are usually used to paint soft porcelain merge with the glaze and give the products lightness and grace.