History

• Porcelain is a form of pottery and was originally developed in 10th century China. It is this origin that gave it the more common name of china, by which it is still referred to today. In 1260, Marco Polo brought some back from his travels, and china became a popular commodity. China was rare and valuable enough that the possession of it became a symbol of wealth as much as jewels or gold. The method of making it was kept a closely guarded secret by the Chinese until almost 500 years later, when Johannes Friedrich Böttger came upon the formula in his attempt to create a "Philosopher's Stone" (a theory of creating gold from base metal). Before long, china production began throughout central Europe. Many of the companies that got their start at that time, such as Wedgwood, Royal Doulton and Spode, still produce pieces that are sought after today. Although this mass production made china more common and therefore somewhat less valuable, antique china is still considered a lucrative collectors item.
  
  

Types

• There are several types of antique china: hard paste porcelain, soft paste porcelain and bone china. Hard paste porcelain, which is made from different types of earth called kaolin and petuntse, is fired at a high temperature and results in a translucent, hard material. Soft paste porcelain has the same ingredients, but it also includes a combination of sand, nitre, salt, gypsum and alum called frit. This method results in a grittier material that is less durable. Bone china, which was created by Josiah Spode II when he added bone ash to the formula, is the hardest, most durable version of porcelain. The formula for bone china spread quickly and soon became the standard mixture for most of the European manufacturers.
  
  

Identification

• With so many copycat versions, it can be difficult to determine whether a piece of china is a genuine antique. All authentic china will have a mark on it that will identify the maker or at least the dynasty it came from. It is important to educate yourself about the different makers and marks so you are not fooled by a forgery. When examining a piece, check to see if the mark is the same on another piece as well (if possible). Researching the decorating style of the time a piece claims to be from can help identify an original piece. Looking up a registration number on the piece can also help determine the age. Visual research, such as looking up similar pieces in museums, antique shows or books can also help you learn to tell the real thing from the false. There are multiple reference guides available both online and as hard copies to help identify makers' marks.
  
  

Prevention/Solution

• Proper care for your antique china is very important. If you plan to use your china as functional dinnerware, be sure that its age and type will allow you to easily wash the pieces. Handle all antique china as little as possible. Support plates from the bottom rather than the edges, and hold anything with a handle by the sides whenever you can. Do not use mended pieces as dinnerware. When cleaning a piece of china, avoid scrubbing or submerging completely in water. Use a toothbrush or soft sponge to get into cracks and crevices. If you break a piece, don't try to fix it yourself. Take it to a professional. Most museums can offer a reference. If you stack pieces, put a thick cloth in between each piece.
  If you plan to only display your china, take precautions to keep them stable. Closed glass cabinets are a useful way to both display and keep your pieces from excessive dust. Plate racks can stress the material and lead to cracks, so take that into account depending on the age of the piece. A sticky material used by museums and serious collectors will secure your pieces to the surface they are sitting on. This material does not damage either surface and is particularly handy if you are in an earthquake zone. A local museum can help you obtain this material.
  
  

Potential

• Collecting antique china can be a satisfying--and also lucrative--hobby. Old and rare pieces are worth thousands of dollars in some cases. Particularly passionate collectors have managed to make a career out of collecting, trading and selling at antique shows and on eBay. There is a surprisingly large market for antique china, whether it is other collectors, a family member who needs to replace a cherished piece or even a museum. A good collector will become proficient in recognizing marks, makers and styles.