Porcelain – a material that unites art and function

Porcelain is one of the most beloved materials in our homes. It can be found in everything from thin teacups to sturdy plates and decorative vases. Despite its fragile feel, porcelain is surprisingly strong – a result of careful craftsmanship and extremely high firing temperatures.

What is porcelain?

Porcelain is a type of ceramic made primarily from kaolin (a white clay), feldspar, and quartz. The mixture is shaped, dried, and fired in a kiln at temperatures above 1,200 degrees. It is this high temperature that makes the material hard, dense, and sometimes slightly translucent.

Unlike simpler ceramics, porcelain is:

• Whiter and smoother
• Stronger and more durable
• Often thinner yet still resilient