Is Bone China Still Made From Bones?

Bone china is a type of porcelain that contains bone ash, which gives it a very fine and smooth texture and allows it to be thinly potted. It was first developed in 18th century England by potter Thomas Frye as an attempt to create a porcelain similar to imported Chinese porcelain. Unlike normal porcelain, bone china contains at least 30% tricalcium phosphate, which comes from cattle bones that are burned down to a fine white ash. This gives bone china a delicate, translucent appearance and feel. It is known for its beauty and strength, and is primarily used for fine china dinnerware and teaware.

Origins

Bone china was invented in England in 1794 by Josiah Spode. Spode experimented with mixing bone ash into porcelain to create a new type of ceramic that was translucent yet strong. He was able to produce china that combined the whiteness and clarity of porcelain with the strength of stoneware. This new material became known as bone china. The innovation took place at Spode’s pottery company in Stoke-on-Trent, which had been experimenting with various ceramic formulas inspired by imported Chinese porcelain. Spode’s bone china quickly became popular and revolutionized the English ceramics industry. The date of this invention marks the true origins of bone china as we know it today.

As noted in this article: http://www.thepotteries.org/borough/024_others.htm, Spode invented bone china, while other companies like Hollins, Warburton, Daniel & Co produced hard paste porcelain at the time.

Original Manufacturing Process

Bone china was originally invented in England in the late 18th century. The manufacturing process involved using cattle bones which were burned at very high temperatures around 1,200°C to produce bone ash or calcinated bone (1). The bone ash was then combined with kaolin and quartz to create the bone china material. This original bone china formula consisted of approximately 50% bone ash, 25% kaolin, and 25% quartz (2). Cattle bones were considered an ideal source of bone ash for bone china due to their high collagen content which produced a translucent white material after burning. The use of actual bone in the manufacturing process is how bone china gained its name, even though modern bone china no longer contains any real bone.

(1) https://httco.com.au/history-of-fine-bone-china
(2) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bone_china

Bone Ash

The traditional bone ash used in bone china was made by burning animal bones, usually cattle bones, into a white ash powder at high temperatures. This powder is primarily made up of calcium phosphate (approximately 85%) along with calcium carbonate.

According to Wikipedia, “Typical bone ash consists of about 55.82% calcium oxide, 42.39% phosphorus pentoxide, and 1.79% moisture, ash and other impurity.” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bone_ash

The bone ash provided the translucent white color and high fired strength that bone china is known for. Wedgwood states, “As we mentioned earlier, bone china is made of ‘bone ash’, which is ash made from animal bones (usually those of a cow) mixed into the ceramic material.” https://www.wedgwood.com/en-us/welcome-to-wedgwood/buying-guides/a-guide-to-bone-china

Modern Manufacturing

In modern times, bone china is still made using the same basic mixture of materials – china clay, china stone, and bone ash. However, the source of the bone ash has changed. Originally, animal bones like cattle bones were burnt at high heat to produce the bone ash component. Today, most bone china does not actually contain any animal-derived ingredients.

The bone ash used in modern bone china is made from non-animal sources. Common materials used are non-bone sources high in phosphate content like eggshells or synthetic phosphate reagents. This allows bone china to be marketed as vegan and animal cruelty-free while maintaining its signature translucency and strength [1].

The manufacturing process follows the same steps of mixing the clay, stone, and bone ash components, molding it into shape, multiple firings at high heat, decorating with glazes or decals, and final inspections before sale and distribution. While the source of the bone ash has changed to be more ethically and environmentally friendly, the resulting bone china maintains the same delicate, high-quality properties [2].

Properties

Bone china is known for its translucent, milky white color and smooth texture. This is achieved through the manufacturing process involving bone ash, which gives bone china a higher kaolin content compared to other porcelain (Toludare, 2019). The translucent white appearance is one of the defining characteristics of fine bone china.

In addition to its aesthetic properties, bone china has excellent technical qualities that make it a preferred material for tableware and decorative objects. It has very high mechanical strength and is highly resistant to chipping and breakage (Abou Elmaaty, 2022). Its low porosity also makes it impervious to liquids and highly stain resistant.

The addition of bone ash results in a more chemically stable and durable ceramic material. Bone china has high flexural strength of up to 60 MPa compared to regular hard-paste porcelain at 35 MPa (Toludare, 2019). This toughness allows bone china to be crafted into delicate, thin objects while retaining structural integrity.

Uses

Bone china is primarily used for making fine dinnerware such as plates, bowls, cups, and saucers. Its delicate, translucent quality makes it ideal for creating beautiful table settings. Bone china has been a staple in formal dining for centuries, adorning the tables of royalty, aristocracy, and the upper classes. Today it remains a hallmark of elegant dining events like weddings, anniversaries, and holiday meals. Many high-end restaurants also use bone china dinnerware to elevate the dining experience. The thin, lightweight material allows designers to create dinnerware in elaborate shapes and patterns. Cups and saucers are a signature use, showcasing the graceful silhouettes possible with bone china. Collectors also prize antique and vintage bone china pieces. Overall, fine bone china dinnerware continues to be cherished for its ability to lend sophistication and style to special occasions. [1] [2]

Cost

Bone china is generally more expensive than porcelain. This is because the production process for bone china requires the addition of calcined bone ash, which increases the cost. According to https://www.21oak.com/inspiration/bone-china-vs-porcelain/, bone china can cost at least 50% more than porcelain. The bone ash, which can account for over 30% of the material in bone china, has to be carefully processed and incorporated into the clay. This meticulous production process contributes to the higher costs.

Some specific comparisons help highlight the cost difference. A set of 12 bone china dinner plates may retail for $120 or more, while a similar 12-piece porcelain set may only cost $60. Individual bone china tea cups often sell for $12-20 each, whereas porcelain tea cups may be priced at $6-12. There are certainly very high-end porcelain pieces that can match bone china prices, but in general, bone china demands a premium price.

The cost differential remains consistent whether comparing everyday dining sets or formal china patterns. Bone china’s reputation for thinness and translucency commands the higher prices. For those seeking the delicate beauty of bone china, the extra cost is worthwhile. However, porcelain can offer an attractive and durable alternative at a more affordable price point for most consumers.

Maintenance

Bone china requires delicate care as it is breakable despite its hardness. According to the Ceramics Care Guide on Jones & Co, bone china should always be handled carefully even though it gains strength from the bone ash component used in manufacturing. The article recommends avoiding any sudden temperature changes like plunging into cold water when hot that can cause cracks or breakage.

For cleaning, the Ceramics Care Guide recommends handwashing with warm soapy water and a soft cloth, rinsing thoroughly, and allowing to air dry. It’s best to avoid the dishwasher which can cause chipping over time from the harsh detergents. The guide also advises against using abrasive cleaners that could scratch the delicate bone china surface.

Proper care like handwashing and gentle handling can help bone china last for generations. But its delicate nature means it requires more special attention than standard dinnerware.

Modern Relevance

Bone china is still highly valued and produced today. According to Wikipedia, bone china is still produced at the Imperial Porcelain Factory in Russia [1]. Production in China has expanded considerably in recent years, and China has become a major exporter of bone china [1].

Bone china remains popular for its beauty, strength, and translucency. It is used to create fine dishware, teaware, and other decorative items [2]. The high quality and craftsmanship associated with bone china make it a prestigious material. Brands like Royal Doulton, Wedgwood, and Royal Albert continue to produce bone china products [3].

While more expensive than porcelain, bone china is still favored for formal occasions like weddings and anniversaries when high quality dishware is desired. The delicate translucency and refined appearance of bone china uphold traditional ideals of sophistication and elegance.

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bone_china
[2] https://www.harrisscarfe.com.au/hub/home/bone-china-vs-fine-china-vs-porcelain
[3] https://www.southernliving.com/home/what-is-bone-china