Wikijunior:How Things Work/Porcelain

Porcelain is a type of pottery (non-glass, metal or wood crafted pots), created from a ceramic material made by heating other natural occurring materials at high temperatures. Porcelain is sometimes called china or fine china.

Porcelain has a long history and before the industrial age it was relatively rare, especially that of high quality. This made it a luxury item and still makes it something that antique collectors have in high value.

Who Invented It?

The first type of porcelain was most probably first created in what is today China

After the first pieces of porcelain started to reach Europe, it started a movement to copy the process that was not understood or easily available to be studied, especially the understanding of the source materials.

What is it made of?

Feldspar and silica found in kaolin clay which is then fired in a kiln at temperatures at 1,900F which causes the materials to form a dense glass like substance.