porcelain

True or hard paste porcelain was first produced in China around 600 A.D. containing kaolin and petunse it is fired at a temperature between 1300 and 1350 degrees C. Kaolin (China Clay) helps the body maintain its shape when being fired whereas petunse (a type of feldspar) vitrifies into the body to give it a hard glass-like quality consequently true porcelain is translucent.

The secret of production did not reach Japan until sometime in the first half of the seventeenth century, probably brought there by a Korean potter but remained the secret of the Orient until 1709 when it was first produced in Germany by Johann Friedrich Bottger with the backing of Augustus the Strong of Saxony Who had himself built up a large collection of Chinese and Japanese porcelain.

18th century Meissen plate

In 1710 the Meissen Porcelain Manufactory was set up where some very high quality pieces were produced. These included direct copies of the Oriental wares as well as westernised variations and figures of people and animals which were designed by J.J. Kandler.

During the eighteenth century hard past porcelain was being produced throughout much of continental Europe particularly in France, the Sevres factory being one of the most important, and Germany.

Bristol slop bowl 1775

Production of hard paste porcelain did not reach Britain until 1768 when William Cookworthy started a factory at Plymouth. He produced a wide variety of items including large vases decorated in the Chinese style, mugs painted with birds and figures etc. However, there was much kiln wastage and the factory struggled due to technical difficulties. It closed in 1770 when Cookworthy moved production to Bristol where pieces in the style of Meissen and Sevres were produced as well as some good oriental styles.

Sèvres punch bowl circa 1780

In 1773 the works were bought out by Richard Champion who ran them until 1781 when he sold the patent to Messrs Hollins, Warburton and Co. who went on to establish production at New Hall in the Stoke-on-trent area and so the New Hall factory was established. To avoid difficulty of manufacture the body was fired at a lower temperature.

Towards the end of the eighteenth century many of the English factories, Chaimberlains and Keeling among others were producing a highbred hard paste porcelain similar to the New Hall body.

Soft paste Porcelain was first produced in Italy in the sixteenth century in imitation of Chinese hard paste porcelain. Much time money and research was put into its development and eventually a body which mimicked the hard paste was settled on. It consisted of a mixture of fine clay and a glasslike substance which was fired at a lower temperature than true porcelain and therefore remained slightly granular as it did not completely vitrify. It was fired primarily in the biscuit form and is then re-fired at a lower temperature after glazing.

Worcester Guglet 1770

Generally soft-paste porcelain has a warmer appearance than true porcelain and to many it is preferable for its softer feel any enamel decoration seems to sit more comfortably on the glaze almost becoming at one with the piece.

Soft-paste porcelain was produced at many factories in Europe throughout the eighteenth century, with France being particularly notable for its high quality wares,  and in Britain from around 1745. The first British factories were Chelsea and Bow But shortly after production spread to other places including Bristol, Worcester, Derby, Stoke-on-Trent, Liverpool and Lowestoft.

Bone China was discovered in about 1750 when it was found that the addition of burned animal bones to the soft paste body helped improve both strength and translucency.

 
Coalport Racing Trophy 1843

In about 1790 Spode introduced a refined bone china body which was quite white and could be thinly potted and was more translucent than previously. This body soon became the standard body at most of the major British factories and was the main body throughout the nineteenth century.

Notable for his attempts at producing a strong white body to equal the European hard paste wares is William Billinglsley. He started at the Derby factory and is best known for his decoration of enamelled roses. Through his life he moved around the country being adept at getting people to finance him in his efforts. Even though the financial success of the companies he formed was very patchy and he was often trying to escape debts we have him to thank for the creations of the Pinxton factory as well as the superb wares of Nantgarw and Swansea.