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Our trusted network of 1stDibs sellers answer common questions

What is the difference between bone china and fine china?

1 Answer
What is the difference between bone china and fine china?
A few things account for the difference between bone china and fine china. True bone china contains animal-derived bone ash, while fine china does not. The addition of the bone ash gives bone china a lighter, more delicate feel and a translucent appearance. Fine china, by comparison, is weightier and more opaque. Also, fine china tends to be more economically priced than bone. Explore a variety of china on 1stDibs.
1stDibs ExpertMay 30, 2024
Shop for Porcelain on 1stDibs
Imari porcelain oval serving dish - Japan, Edo period - 19th century
Located in GRENOBLE, FR
A large porcelain oval serving dish, finely decorated with classical hand-painted iron red and cobalt blue patterns enhanced with fine gold : flowers, leaves and fantastic animals in...
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Japanese Edo Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Three 19th Century Continental Naturalist Fruit, Insect, Vegetable Plates
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Set of Three 19th-Century Continental Hand-Painted Porcelain Plates with Naturalist Fruit & Insect Decoration A captivating set of three finely hand-painted porcelain plates, dating...
Category

Antique 19th Century European Baroque Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

19th Century Signed Meissen Porcelain Artwork
Located in Roma, IT
A wonderful late 19th-Century Meissen blue onion square hand painted porcelain dish. Printed and impressed "Meissen" mark on reverse. This fine blue onion platter exhibits excellen...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century German Louis XV Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Piero Fornasetti Fleming Joffe Porcelain Plate- Python A La Orange
Located in Downingtown, PA
Piero Fornasetti Fleming Joffe Porcelain Recipe Plate, Python A La Orange, 1960s. This rare Piero Fornasetti porcelain plate is from a series of fourteen made for the Fleming Joffe ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Porcelain

Materials

Ceramic, Porcelain

Piero Fornasetti Porcelain "Cook" Pattern Dinner Plate, Cobra a L'Indienne
Located in Downingtown, PA
Piero Fornasetti Porcelain Cook Pattern Plate, Cobra a L'Indienne, Made for Fleming Joffe, 1967-1974 From a set of fourteen, We have an example of eah of the different plates made ...
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Porcelain

Materials

Ceramic, Porcelain

Set of 4 French Limoges Porcelain Playing Card Themed Dishes/Ashrays C1960s
Located in Trensacq, FR
Charming set of 4 vintage playing card-themed trinket dishes/ashtrays from Limoges, France circa 1950. Four gilded 'Gout de Ville' porcelain dishes in heart, diamond, spade and c...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

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