Porcelain is a white, dense clay body based on kaolin, feldspar and silica, fired to mid or high temperatures until it becomes almost glass-like. It can be translucent where thin and is prized for fine, bright, delicate ware.
What Is Porcelain?
Porcelain was first made in China and became so valued in Europe that it was called white gold. Digitalfire notes that porcelains are usually fired above 1180 °C, and the amount of feldspar sets the temperature they mature at. Modern porcelains are made for cone 6 as well as the traditional cone 10.
Its whiteness makes glaze colours bright and clean, and thin walls glow when held to the light. It has very low absorption when fired to its rated cone, which makes it excellent for tableware.
Porcelain is also demanding. It is less plastic than stoneware, so it collapses more readily on the wheel, it is brittle at leather hard, and because it is fired close to its melting point it is prone to warping and slumping. Throwing with less water and slightly thicker bases helps.
Many potters move to porcelain after learning on stoneware, once they can centre and pull walls reliably.
This pottery glossary entry from Le Studio Art Space is general educational content. Always follow the clay, glaze and kiln makers’ data for your own materials and equipment.