Ceramics

What is the difference between ceramics and porcelain, as these terms are often used interchangeably? Ceramics can be divided into three main categories. Porcelain, stoneware and earthenware. Porcelain is a type of ceramic that is often called china as well. It is produced usually with kaolin and fired in a kiln at extremely high temperatures, around 1,460 degrees Celsius and is highly regarded for its whiteness and sometimes translucency. There are three main types of porcelain: hard paste, soft paste and bone china. Hard paste porcelain was invented in China and also used in Japanese porcelain which is described above. Soft paste porcelain refers to early European potters who were trying to replicate the Chinese porcelain and included the use of kaolin, feldspar and quartz. These were fired at lower temperatures. Bone china has traditionally used bone ash as part of the formula. I choose to use the term ceramics as it encompasses everything. Erskine Antiques has a variety of ceramics for you to select from, with more stock being added all of the time.