Rose Porcelain
Antiques - What’s In a Word?
Every niche subject has its specific, descriptive words, its recognised terminology. These are words of international understanding, conveying a clear picture of the object being described.
In the world of antiques this is extremely important, particularly when the object is not able to be seen and handled by the person receiving the descriptive information.
Antiques are a vast subject and each category under the title of “antiques” has its own specific terminology. Key descriptive terms are used for antique categories such as silver, furniture, ceramics, glass, pictures, textiles, jewellery etc.
Within my subject of antique ceramics, porcelain and pottery, I have noticed a consistent confusion over a particular group of ceramic terms. These include the terms, “soft paste” and “hard paste” porcelain.
The term “soft paste” is sometimes thought to mean that soft paste porcelain is “softer” than hard paste porcelain, (also known as, true porcelain), however, both of these terms actually refer to the kiln temperature, not the porcelain itself.
It is actually the temperature that the porcelain is fired at; soft paste referring to a “soft fire”, which is usually about 1200°C. Soft paste is also known as “artificial porcelain”, or, “pate tendre”, when referring to French porcelain.
By contrast, hard paste porcelain is fired with a hard fire, usually about 1450°C. Hard paste, or, true porcelain, derives its name from Chinese porcelain, first produced in that country over 2000 years ago.
True or hard paste porcelain is made by the combination of two integral ingredients, white China clay, or Kaolin and “petuntse” as known in English and derived from the Chinese, “Pai-tun-tzu”.
Technically, petuntse is a natural, fusible rock, which, when worked into a paste, combined with white China clay and fired with a “hard” fire, at 1450°C, results in hard paste porcelain.
Most European, soft paste porcelains belong to the 18th century and in general terms, most European hard paste porcelains belong in the 19th century. But, as always, there are a few exceptions.
Another term which seems to be confused is the descriptive word for a ceramic figure. When the human form is depicted in porcelain or pottery, it is described as a “figure”. I have recently seen such a description with a figure described as a statue. The term statue is reserved for a life sized figure as found in a large garden or park!
Alternately, when animals are described in porcelain and pottery, they are conventionally described as a “model” i.e., a model of a seated spaniel, a model of an alert greyhound etc
Every specialist subject from the vast range of antiques has its own recognised group of descriptive terms and using the correct terminology simply makes the information being offered clear and easily understood.
The Antique & Vintage Table Lamp Co specialise in antique lamps with an on-line range of over 100 unique, antique lamps. Lamps are shipped ready wired for the US the UK and Australia.
For more information you are invited to visit their web site at:-
© The Antique & Vintage Table Lamp Co 2009
About the Author
Maurice Robertson, principal of The Antique and Vintage Table Lamp Co , has had a lifetime’s association with antique porcelain and pottery,with his commercial experience spaning a period of 40 years,including as a valuer to the Australian Government’s Incentive to the Arts Scheme. His long experience with antique ceramics and glass also includes dealing with leading museums and numerous international private collections. He has extended his ceramics expertise into the quality table lamps seen on the company’s site, he is well known to local and international interior designers who have included many of his table lamps in their projects and has also supplied items of national interest to the official Sydney residence of the Australian Prime Minister.
Miniature Rose - Cold Porcelain Designs.com
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 MID 19TH CENTURY SAMSON FAMILLE ROSE PORCELAIN BOWL  US $46.30
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 2010 CHAPARRAL LITE 268RLE FIFTH WHEEL 1 2 TON TOWABLE US $18,999.00 |
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 Royal Albert Old Country Roses Cookie Jar with Bow US $30.00
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 Vintage Enesco Cup Saucer Miniature Pink Yellow Rose US $4.95
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 Beautiful Collectible Rose Pattern Tea Cup US $5.50
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 The NEW BLACK MARY KAY COMPACT FILLED with your colors US $119.50
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True Romance Couple Figurine
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Catch a Falling Star by David Delamare Porcelain Lithophane Night Light
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Fairy Moon Porcelain Lithophane Night Light - David Delamare Design
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Blossom Rose Tea Cup Set
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White Rose Porcelain Vase with Bear & Chocolate Roses Gift
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Madelaine Chocolate Sweetheart Roses in White Porcelain Rose Vase Gift
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Guardian Angels Lithophane Night Light
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Marie Osmond's Collectible Porcelain Doll - Paradise Rose, 20 Inches (by Paradise Galleries)
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Rose-breasted Grosbeak PHB Porcelain Hinged Box - Midwest of Cannon Falls Songbird Series
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Polyflame PORCELAINROSE Porcelain Phone ROSE
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Polyflame PORCELAINROSE Porcelain Phone ROSE
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Polyflame Porcelain Phone ROSE
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Load my brush with dark rich color: A "simplified" step-by-step book on the fine art of porcelain painting for : strawberries, blackberries, poppies, roses, dark rich luster and gold
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