Keramiekporselein

Keramiekporselein is a term used to refer to porcelain, a high-fired ceramic material known for its whiteness, translucency and low porosity. It denotes a class of ceramics that achieves these properties through specific raw materials and firing temperatures, resulting in a dense, glass-like body that takes glaze well and can be rendered with fine detail.

Traditionally, hard-paste porcelain is made from a mixture of kaolin, a source of pure clay, and petuntse (China stone) with quartz. Soft-paste porcelain uses different clays and formulations and is fired at lower temperatures. In both cases, the ware is shaped, dried, bisque-fired, glazed, and then fired again at high temperature to vitrify the body and seal porosity. The resulting material is strong, often translucent when held against light, and capable of holding intricate decoration.

Porcelain originated in China and achieved remarkable development during the medieval and early modern periods. It spread to Europe in the 17th century, spurring the establishment of famous manufactories such as Meissen in Germany and subsequent European and Asian producers. In many cultures, porcelain became synonymous with fine dinnerware, decorative objects and figurines, valued for its smoothness, whiteness and durability.

In modern practice, porcelain remains a globally produced material, with varieties including hard-paste porcelain, soft-paste porcelain and bone china. It is used in a wide range of products—from everyday tableware to high-end art objects—maintaining a standard of translucency, hardness and detail that characterizes ceramic porcelain.