"White Gold" - a journey through the history of the porcelain

Porcelain is considered the finest of all ceramic materials and has taken on an outstanding position over the centuries both in art and in everyday life. The term "ceramic" itself is derived from the Greek word "Kerameia" , which "burned" . This origin refers to the basic manufacturing process in which the materials are burned to obtain their final shape and strength.

But porcelain is much more than just a burned material. It is often referred to as "white miracle" or "white gold" . This special form of ceramic is characterized by its extraordinary purity and tenderness. To create it, an extremely precise mixture of Kaolin, feldspar and quartz is required.

These raw materials are burned in a special oven at enormously high temperatures, which are often over 1200 degrees Celsius. This fire transforms the underlying materials into an almost translucent substance with an aesthetics that combines both elegance and functionality.

The result of this careful process is not only visually appealing, but also remarkably resistant. Porcelain is known for its low porosity, which makes it insensitive to water and dirt - properties that make it an ideal choice for dishes, artistic sculptures and decorative objects.

In many cultures, porcelain was even valued as a symbol of luxury and sophistication. The fine lines, the delicate white and the filigree patterns captivate viewers worldwide and invite you to explore the history and craftsmanship that every single piece carries.

It is a material that not only impresses with its physical properties, but also with the artistry and creativity of the people who have made it.

In this sense, the material is not only rightly a "white miracle" , but also a fascinating testimony of human work.

The beginnings: China's achievements

Vase from the Tang dynasty; Porcelain gallery, Hebei Museum, Shijiazhuang (China)

Image source: Gary Todd, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

During the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD), the Chinese began to finally produce the material by using Kaolin (white toner) and Petuntse (a feldspar mineral). These materials were burned at extremely high temperatures, which caused the shiny white and translucent appearance of porcelain.

However, the beauty and refinement of this material were no coincidence. Rather, it was the result of centuries -long experiments and improvements in ceramic technology.

It is said that the best porcelain pieces of the tang dynasty were so thin that they almost appeared to you in the light.

Ultimately, porcelain and the necessary specialist knowledge for its production also found in other regions of East Asia. In the time of the song dynasty (960-1279 AD), artistry and production experienced a remarkable upswing.

The production of the material was strongly structured, and up to 25,000 pieces could be burned at the same time in the dragon stoves excavated from this era; Towards the end of this period, there were even over 100,000 pieces.

Vase from the song dynasty; Porcelain gallery, Stadtmuseum Xinzheng, province of Henan (China)

Image source: Gary Todd, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Workpiece of a special exhibition from the ming dynasty of the young, palace museum, Taipei (Taiwan)

Image source: Gary Lee Todd, Ph.D., CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

In the era of the Ming dynasty (1368-1644 AD) there was an export of porcelain products to Europe.

Many of the most renowned Chinese porcelain client styles reached the European market during this time, including the estimated "blue and white" pieces. These were viewed as extraordinary rarities and works of art and were often bordered in fine metals.

The rulers of the Qing dynasty (1644-1912 AD) were passionate supporters of the arts, who could thrive in a variety of ways during their reign. In 1677, Emperor Kangxi (reg. 1662–1722) had the imperial kilns and production facilities in Jingdezhen rebuilt.

The development of a variety of opaque overglaze email colors was one of the most important progress in ceramic technology during the Qing period.

Qing porcelain from Kangxi rule; Ceramic and porcelain gallery, palace museum, Taipei (Taiwan)

Image source: Gary Lee Todd, Ph.D., CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

The way west: porcelain in Europe

The famous explorer Marco Polo brought porcelain from China to Europe for the first time in the 14th century : a small gray -green vessel that was between its variety of silk fabrics, spices and vials with musk -like aromas. Polo referred to it as Porcellana .

In Italian, this is a name for the Kaurimuschel, the shimmering white surface of which is reminiscent of porcelain. Porcellini 's bellies - or small pigs. Both terms are closely related to Porcellina , a slightly different and offensive word that a certain type of man could shout while walking along the street.

Marco Polo was based on the production of the noble material on a deceptive assumption, and for almost five hundred years there were better approaches.

The dishes consists of crumbly earth or sound that dug out of a mine and stacked in huge hills and then exposed to wind, rain and sun for thirty or forty years ”,

Noted Polo in his records.

At this point, the earth is so refined that the dishes produced from it have an azure tint with a very brilliant shine. ”

A report from 1550 indicates that

Porcelain is also made from a certain juice that flows together under earth and is brought from the east ”.

In 1557 an even more creative theory was set up, according to which

Egg shells and the shells are grinded from umbilical fishing to dust, which is then mixed with water and shaped into vases. "

These are then hidden underground. Hundreds of years later they are excavated and are considered to be completed.

None of these assumptions fulfilled later. Egg shells and fish bowls would fall into ash.

First attempts to produce porcelain in medieval Europe

Traditionally, porcelain is actually made from two basic components: Kaolin , also known as porcelain earth, a silicate mineral that gives the porcelain its formability and stability; and Petunus or pottery, which gives the ceramic its transparency and strength.

The secret of the manufacture remained closed to Europeans for centuries. European nobles spent huge amounts for the valuable porcelain from the Far East, which further consolidated its status as a luxury goods.

The invention of the soft porcelain

Attempts to imitate medieval European potter to imitate this translucent Chinese porcelain finally led to the discovery of artificial or soft porcelain , a mixture of clay and ground glass, which requires a "softer" burning process (approx. 1,200 ° C or 2,200 ° f). as hard porcelain.

Although there is a superficial similarity, artificial porcelain can generally be distinguished from real porcelain by its softer body.

For example, it can be cut with a file, but real porcelain, on the other hand, and dirt that has accumulated on an unglazed surface is difficult or not at all removed, whereas it can be easily removed by real porcelain.

The first European soft porcelain was built around 1575 in Florence in manufacturers, which were under the patronage of Francesco I. de 'Medici . However, it was only produced in significant quantities in the late 17th and 18th centuries.

Breathe of an alchemist

only in the 18th century that the German alchemist Johann Friedrich Böttger and the mathematician Ehrenfried Walther von Tschirnhaus managed to decipher the secret of the noble material. Under the patronage of August the Strong , the artist -like elector of Saxony, they founded the famous Meißen porcelain factory in 1710.

An interesting anecdote: Böttger was originally looking for the stone of the wise to produce gold. Instead, he discovered the recipe for the " white gold" .

Meißener porcelain: synonym for excellence

Meißener porcelain quickly became a benchmark for quality and artistry in Europe. The manufactory was known for its fine decorations, from filigree flowers to exquisite scenes from the daily life at that time.

Interestingly, Meißner also developed the cobalt blue , a color that can often be found in decors on the material.

Another astonishing fact: Each piece of Meißen porcelain is still largely made and painted today. This tradition of Handmade underlines the exclusive and high -worthy character.

The problem with the glaze

After the process for porcelain production was discovered in Meissen in the 18th century, the modelers and porcelain painters were faced with new challenges.

On the one hand, when forming the blank , it had to be taken into account that the material would shrink considerably during burning. On the other hand, it was a big challenge to find colors that could withstand the extreme temperatures of the final glaze fire.

The use of the glaze over the motifs was of crucial importance to protect the applied designs on plates, cups and pots from abrasion.

This transparent substance, which originally served to seal a porous ceramic body, is now exclusively used to decorate hard porcelain, which is not porous.

When field spade glaze and ceramic mass are burned together, they merge closely. Porcelain, which is burned without glaze and is known as a biscuit porcelain , became popular in Europe in the 18th century. It was mainly used for figurative representations.

In the 19th century, Biscuit porcelain received the name Parian-Ware. Some soft porcelain, which protect a certain porosity, need a glaze.

After the fire of the body, a leading glaze is usually applied and burned again to create a glazed surface. In contrast to the field spade glaze, it is liable as a relatively thick layer on the material.

Although it was experimented with different colors at an early stage, which were either applied to the glaze or connected to it, only a blue dye was initially discovered as a long -lasting underglassage color, which was heat -resistant enough.

For this reason, early European product series, which are now of interest as an antique porcelain for collectors and art dealers, are only in shades of blue.

Global styles: from Limoges to Bone China

After the success in Meißen, other European nations soon followed. France's Limoges porcelain gained great fame in the 19th century and is still appreciated for his delicacy and elegance.

The English invention of the Bone China , a mixture of Kaolin and bone ash, is characterized by special strength and displayability. It is not only a functional dishes, but also art.

Fun Fact: Bone China received its name due to the use of bone ash, mostly from cattle. This gives the material exceptional strength and clarity.

Evolution of porcelain painting

Over time, the art of porcelain painting a remarkable evolution, which not only expanded the technical possibilities, but also led to a living color palette. At first, the selection of colors was limited in the underglaze process, but in the course of intensive experiments and discoveries, new colors and nuances could be developed.

These innovations enabled the artists to fully exploit their freedom of design and to raise the motifs to a completely new level. Every single motif, be it a delicate flower arrangement or a majestic dragon , was applied by hand with great care and dedication. This meticulous Handmade gave each piece a unique note and made the porcelain painter a real artist in his guild.

The increasing popularity of this art form led to the creation of colorful series, the motives of which were often inspired by Far Eastern traditions. These motifs not only do mirrors 's exotic stories, but also integrated elements that delighted the eye and touched the heart.

Under the many outstanding examples of this artistry, the world -famous Flora Danica von Royal Copenhagen protrudes, the splendidly designed decors of which are now considered an episode of exquisite porcelain painting.

The combination of innovative techniques, glowing colors and captivating motifs has secured this art form for centuries a permanent place in society and made the porcelain painters a revered masters of their discipline.

Craftsmanship and modernity: continued innovation

Today the porcelain is experiencing a renaissance. Modern artists and designers experiment with new shapes, colors and techniques.

The traditional methods of production are combined with contemporary design, which creates breathtaking pieces for modern lifestyle.

Final words

The history of the porcelain is a story of art, culture and technical innovation.

From the imperial courtyards of China to the elegant salons of the 18th century to the modern design studios of today-porcelain has always had a special fascination. With its unique properties and aesthetics, it embodies timeless elegance and craftsmanship.

So the next time you admire your favorite porcelain or enjoy an artistically decorated cup of tea, take a moment to think about the millennia -old tradition and the masterful craftsmanship that is behind these pieces.

Stay curious! Who knows, maybe you will discover your own "white gold" in a new collection or an antique find.

Frequently asked questions about porcelain

1. What is the difference between porcelain and ceramic?

Porcelain and ceramics are both sound products, but they differ in the materials and the burning temperature.

The former consists of special white clay and is burned at higher temperatures, which gives it its characteristic hardness and translucency. Ceramic, on the other hand, is usually less transparent and porous.

2. How do I care and clean porcelain dishes?

To care for your porcelain dishes, you should rinse it by hand, especially if it has hand -painted decors.

Avoid aggressive cleaning agents and instead use mild soap and warm water. Do not put workpiece out of this material in the microwave if it has gold or metallic decorations because they can create sparks.

3. Why is porcelain so expensive?

The production is an elaborate process that requires special materials and high burning temperatures.

In addition, many products are made by hand and painted what additional work and artistry means. The combination of these factors means that it is considered a luxurious and expensive material.

4. How do I recognize high -quality porcelain?

High quality porcelain is characterized by its fineness, translucent quality and even glaze. Brands such as Meißener, Limoges and Royal Worcester are well -known indicators of quality.

A clear and clear marking on the bottom of the piece also helps with identification.

5. Can you repair damaged porcelain?

Yes, damaged porcelain can often be repaired, especially if it is smaller chips or cracks. Professional restorers can carry out almost invisible repairs. It is worth consulting a specialist for valuable and ancient pieces.