The Millennial Mystery of Pottery and Porcelain: The Art of Fire and Earth, Can You Tell the Difference?
The Millennial Mystery of Pottery and Porcelain: The Art of Fire and Earth, Can You Tell the Difference?
Introduction:
🍯 Pottery and 🫖 porcelain may seem similar, but they are quite different! From raw materials to firing temperatures, from hardness to transparency, how much do you know about the distinctions between pottery and porcelain? Today, ✨Star8s takes you on a journey to uncover the secrets of these two art forms born from the fusion of fire and earth, exploring the cultural codes behind them!
Different Concepts
Pottery is made from clay, shaped by hand, wheel-throwing, or molding, dried, and then fired in a kiln. Porcelain, on the other hand, is made from materials like porcelain stone and kaolin, mixed, shaped, and fired, often with a glazed or painted surface.
Different Firing Temperatures 🔥🔥🔥
The main differences between pottery and porcelain lie in the raw materials and firing temperatures. Pottery is fired at 800-1000°C, while porcelain is made from kaolin and fired at 1300-1400°C. By increasing the firing temperature beyond that of pottery, pottery transforms into porcelain. Porcelain is an upgraded version of pottery, and pottery is the sibling of porcelain. It’s worth noting that many so-called pottery products today are actually high-fired and, strictly speaking, should be classified as porcelain.
Different Hardness
Pottery is fired at lower temperatures, so the body is not fully sintered, resulting in a coarse texture, a dull sound when tapped, high water absorption, and lower hardness—sometimes even scratchable with a steel knife. Porcelain, fired at higher temperatures, has a fully sintered body, making it dense and durable, with low water absorption, a crisp sound when tapped, and a surface that is difficult to scratch with a steel knife. Porcelain is harder than pottery.
Different Raw Materials
Pottery can be made from ordinary clay, while porcelain requires specific materials like kaolin. Clay fired at pottery temperatures becomes pottery, such as ancient white pottery. Kaolin fired at porcelain temperatures (1300-1400°C) becomes porcelain. However, pottery clay fired at 1200°C will not turn into porcelain but will melt into a glassy substance. Pottery typically contains more than 3% iron, while porcelain contains less than 3% iron.
Different Transparency
Pottery, even when thin, is not translucent. Porcelain, regardless of thickness, has a translucent quality. Glazes also differ: pottery may be unglazed or coated with low-temperature glaze, while porcelain glazes can be applied in high-temperature single firings or as low-temperature glazes on high-fired bodies.
Different Glazing Techniques
Glaze is the glossy coating on porcelain, made from clay, quartz, and feldspar. After grinding and mixing, it is applied to the body and melts during high-temperature firing, forming a glassy layer upon cooling. It enhances the body's strength and effectively seals it from gases and liquids. Pottery is usually unglazed or coated with low-temperature glaze, while porcelain features a high-temperature glaze that bonds firmly with the body, creating a uniform, beautiful, and smooth surface.
The Connection Between Pottery and Porcelain
Although pottery and porcelain are different, they are closely related. Without the invention of pottery and the continuous improvement of pottery-making techniques, porcelain could not have been invented independently. The creation of porcelain was the result of our ancestors' long-term experimentation with raw materials, firing techniques, and accumulated experience, leading to a qualitative leap. Even after the emergence of porcelain, pottery continued to be produced. Both evolved independently, transitioning from everyday items to collectible art pieces.
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🍶🥣After exploring the millennial culture of pottery and porcelain, are you also captivated by the charm of traditional Chinese craftsmanship? ✨Star8s, with its spirit of craftsmanship, has launched a series of exquisite pottery and porcelain products infused with Chinese elements. Whether it’s the elegance of blue-and-white porcelain or the rustic charm of handmade pottery, ✨Star8s seamlessly blends tradition with modernity, offering you a unique artistic experience. Visit ✨Star8s to immerse yourself in the profound heritage of Chinese culture and let each piece become a work of art in your life!🫖🍯
Keywords:
Pottery, Porcelain, Fire and Earth, Chinese Elements, Star8s, Traditional Culture, Art Collection, Blue-and-White Porcelain, Handmade Pottery, Craftsmanship Spirit
