Bone China Definition

Bone china is called such because it contains animal bone. Before the invention of bone china, most porcelain was either hard or soft and came from China. Thanks to a market ripe for an alternative to the expensive import, England became the main producer of the beautiful porcelain pieces.

Definition

Bone china is a type of porcelain that is made with animal bone. Approximately half of the formula used to create this china consists of the bones of animals that have been stripped of meat and burned at very high temperatures. The resulting ash is very fine and sterile, and is added to other ingredients such as water, clay and stone. The material is then formed into various pieces of china and fired in a kiln or furnace. The resulting china is light ivory in color and more durable than other kinds of porcelain.

History

England is the birthplace of bone china. It was created around 1800 by Josiah Spode I, a famous potter and owner of the Spode porcelain factory. Spode's bone china became popular quickly due to several factors. First, the market was ripe for fine china that could be produced locally. The original source of most fine china was from China, but importing from the far-away country had become expensive. Second, bone china was easier to manufacture than hard or soft porcelain because the firing temperatures were much lower. Factories were able to begin production of the china using the furnace's they already had. The resulting pieces were both beautiful and durable---much stronger than the previous types of porcelain. Josiah Spode's son, Josiah Spode II, was adept at marketing his father's product. This led to a rise in demand and the spread of bone china manufacturers.

Identification

It is easy to tell if a piece of china is bone china. The animal bone ash causes the porcelain to be slightly translucent. When you hold a piece of bone china up to a light, you should be able to see your fingers through the piece.

Types

There are numerous manufacturers of bone china, many of which have been operating for more than 100 years. Some of the most popular original makers of this porcelain include Spode, Davenport, Royal Adderley and Wedgwood. Each producer of bone china usually stamped its pieces with the company's mark, although the earliest pieces may not have been marked. There are many books available to help collectors identify the various company markings.

Uses

Bone china is both a highly desired collectible and a popular choice for fine dinnerware. Antique pieces of bone china can worth thousands of dollars, and many serious collectors spend a great deal of time searching for the most sought-after pieces. An example of a valuable piece of antique bone china is a pattern created by the Davenport company called "The Flying Bird," pattern number 6.
Due to its durability and delicate beauty, bone china makes excellent dinnerware. Although it is not recommended for daily use, it is wonderful to have for special occasions. Complete sets, whether antique or modern, are also popular wedding gifts.

Resources

• AW Antiques: China Marks