Porcelain can be found in almost every home. It's an indispensable part of daily life, used for all kinds of everyday products – most often as tableware. But how is porcelain actually made? Find out everything about the origins, properties and care of this classic material.
Porcelain tableware and more – what you should know:
- The properties that make porcelain special
- How is porcelain made? The origins and production of the material
- From bathroom to kitchen: how we use porcelain every day
- Care tips: how to clean porcelain tableware properly
- Frequently asked questions
1. The properties that set porcelain apart
Its most obvious features are its highly glossy surface and its pure white colour. If you hold porcelain up to a light source, it is slightly translucent. It is also extremely strong and can withstand loads of up to five tonnes – an important property for the hospitality sector. Porcelain does not conduct electricity, which is why it is used as an insulator, for example in high-voltage systems. And the material has a hardness of 8 on the Mohs scale: for all its delicacy, porcelain is physically harder than steel. Thanks to these practical properties, porcelain is used in many different fields.
Porcelain – the right material for tableware
The hygienically smooth and hard-wearing glaze makes porcelain the ideal material for tableware, as it is resistant to acids. Porcelain tableware is easy to clean completely of food and drink residue. The material is both cut- and scratch-resistant as well as odour- and taste-neutral. It can also retain the warmth of food better and for longer than metal or glass, for example. All these properties make porcelain the ideal companion in the kitchen.
Can porcelain go in the oven?
In principle, the material is heat-resistant, so temperatures of 200 or 250 degrees Celsius in the oven won't harm porcelain. High-quality pieces from renowned manufacturers can therefore go in the oven. With lower-quality porcelain, plates or cups can crack or even shatter in the oven at high temperatures. So always check the manufacturer's information. The same applies to use in the microwave. Porcelain is very hard-wearing, but not infinitely resilient. If you take a porcelain dish out of the freezer, don't put it straight into the oven. Even porcelain can't withstand such extreme changes in temperature.
2. How is porcelain made?
Porcelain belongs to the ceramics family and is made of china clay, known as kaolin, quartz and feldspar – these are mixed, shaped and then fired. Depending on the ratio of the three minerals, a distinction is made between hard-paste and soft-paste porcelain. A glaze smooths the surface.
Porcelain is often decorated, either with printed decals or, as at Royal Copenhagen, by elaborate hand painting. After the final firing, the finished colours look very different from the colours that were applied to the porcelain beforehand.
From China to Meissen – where was porcelain first made?
The name porcelain goes back to the Italian word "porcellana", which originally referred to the cowrie, a sea snail. With its smooth, glossy shell, the snail's house is reminiscent of porcelain.
Yet the material does not originate in Europe – it was developed in China. When porcelain was imported to Europe in the 13th century, the Chinese kept their recipe for Chinese soft-paste porcelain to themselves. While trying to make gold, Johann Friedrich Böttger went on to develop European hard-paste porcelain. The Meissen manufactory was the first producer in Europe, and many others followed.
3. From bathroom to kitchen: how we use porcelain every day
Thanks to its many positive properties, porcelain is used in various areas of our daily lives. We come across it in the bathroom as a washbasin or tile. We find porcelain in display cabinets as decorative or collectable figurines, and as a vase or jewellery it brightens up our day. Lyngby Porcelæn offers a storage option with its fluted bonbonniere. The Bjørn Wiinblad porcelain figurine is available for each of the four seasons. There are also unusual designs such as the Fitting #3 table lamp with its porcelain design.
Porcelain is best known to us as tableware. You'll find minimalist designs from Kahla or Rosenthal. Thomas porcelain is modern, functional and colourful. Alongside classic tableware, you'll find hand-painted porcelain with playful decoration from Royal Copenhagen. Probably the brand's best-known and oldest design is the Blue Fluted pattern, with delicate ornamentation in the typical cobalt blue, which also became the model for the designs that followed. Classic, colourful or playful – the many shapes and patterns offer plenty of ways to furnish your rooms with style and individuality.
4. How to clean porcelain tableware
With a special polish, you can seal the surface and preserve its beautiful shine for a long time. Washbasins, bathtubs and other items made of porcelain can be brought back to a fresh shine by wiping them with a damp cloth and a mild cleaner.
Limescale marks can be removed with a cloth and diluted vinegar cleaner or lemon juice. Then dry the tableware or washbasin thoroughly so the limescale marks don't come back. An eco-friendly and effective way to care for your porcelain gently.
Can porcelain go in the dishwasher?
With porcelain tableware, always follow the manufacturer's instructions – not everything can or should be cleaned in the dishwasher. Genuine porcelain is sturdy and durable and can, for example, go in the dishwasher on a gentle cycle. Unfortunately, edges and decorations on delicate, thin pieces can chip or fade. Valuable collectable cups, vases or decorative plates are delicate, and dishwasher tablets could damage the material. That's why you should always wash them carefully by hand.
5. Frequently asked questions about porcelain
How can I tell if something is porcelain?
Hold your piece up to the light: high-quality porcelain looks slightly translucent in the light and has an attractive sheen thanks to its glaze.
What is the difference between porcelain and ceramics?
Porcelain is a type of ceramic. While ceramics mainly consist of coarse clays, porcelain is mainly made of the china clay kaolin. This gives porcelain its typical properties: unlike other ceramics, porcelain is slightly translucent, lighter than items made of clay and less susceptible to knocks and impacts, as its high kaolin content makes it very hard.
Buying porcelain tableware is a considerable investment, and it's usually only brought out for special occasions. Simple ceramic tableware is used every day and isn't as expensive. However, ceramics break more easily and can chip after even a small mishap.
How can I tell what my porcelain is worth?
Estimating the value of a piece of porcelain isn't easy for a layperson. Porcelain bears a specific maker's mark that gives clues to the manufacturer, the series or the year of production. Old branded porcelain, for example, can be very valuable. Condition is important too: the better preserved it is, the more valuable the porcelain. Both online and at antique dealers, you'll find private individuals or companies who can estimate its value.
Why is porcelain also called white gold?
In the past, many people claimed they could make gold. One of them was Johann Friedrich Böttger. Instead of gold, he discovered – together with Ehrenfried Walther von Tschirnhaus – how to make porcelain. That's why it is also called white gold.
Why do porcelain cups have a notch on the underside?
In the dishwasher, the notch lets the water drain away so it doesn't collect on the base.
