Skip to main content
Questions & Answers
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
Gien “Fraises en Folie” Set of 6 Hand-Painted Porcelain Plates, France 1985
By Gien
Located in Bochum, NRW
Gien “Fraises en Folie” – Set of 6 Hand-Painted Dessert Plates, Each with Unique Historic Border, France. An extraordinary collector’s edition from *Gien, France, this six-piece *“Fr...
Category

Vintage 1980s French Post-Modern Porcelain

Materials

Faience, Porcelain

Set of Six Charlotte Perriand Porcelain Dinnerware Plates by Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Hand-decorated porcelain dinnerware service, based on ancient influences filtered through the modern sensibilities of an extraordinary pioneer of modernity. Designed by Cassina in ...
Category

2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Porcelain

Materials

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

Large Porcelain "Eva" Vase / Centerpiece with Candlesticks by Bjorn Wiinblad
Located in San Diego, CA
A very cool and rare large vintage porcelain "Eva" vase / centerpiece pedestal bowl with candlesticks by celebrated Danish ceramicist and illustrator, Bjorn Wiinblad, circa 1987. Th...
Category

Late 20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern 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

Antique 19th Century Japanese Scalloped Imari Plate
Located in Pearland, TX
A wonderful 19th century antique Imari plate with a reticulated edge. Featuring vibrant oranges, blues, and green. The center of the plate depicts a hand-painted spray of flowers and...
Category

Antique 19th Century Japanese Japonisme Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain, Paint

Shop All