Porcelain

Porcelain is considered more refined and delicate than other ceramic forms. It was first made in China during the Yuan dynasty and its production increased during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Ceramics fired at lower temperatures were usually every day utilitarian pieces using inexpensive clays and colors for decoration made in quantities for the poor. Porcelain continually advanced as kaolin and other minerals were mixed in fine-grained clays, kilns were improved so they could reach higher temperatures and clearer glazes were created. Producing porcelain began by firing a biscuit (an unglazed ceramic body) at a low temperature, adding painted cobalt blue (made from cobalt and aluminum oxide) designs on its surface, covering it with a clear glaze and then firing the piece at very high temperatures. This process created a harder, non-porous, vitrified (glass-like) body that was white, translucent and able to produce sounds when lightly struck depending on how thin the body was. Because porcelain was superior to other types and kinds of ceramics, a huge response ensued for porcelain for domestic and export use.