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Fine Bone China

Fine bone china is a soft-paste porcelain made up of kaolin, bone ash, and feldspathic material. It contains a minimum of 30 percent phosphate derived from animal bone and calculated calcium phosphate. It is known for a high level of whiteness and translucency while remaining chip resistant. Up until the late twentieth century, bone china was almost entirely produced in England, which is why it is sometimes referred to as English porcelain.

Bone china was first created in East London in 1748 by Thomas Frye. Because his porcelain factory at the time was located near cattle markets, he had easy access to the animal bones that are needed to produce bone china. In the latter part of the eighteenth century, Josiah Spode introduced stoke china, which was a development of Frye's animal bone china. Spode's son, Josiah II, renamed it bone china and made some adjustments to the formula that created the bone china that is so respected today.

Bone china was developed at a time when soft-paste porcelain was primarily being used in England in an attempt to imitate the fine translucency and delicateness of the porcelain from China. This china, which incorporates glass substances in its creation, was not as durable or translucent as bone china. This explains why centuries later, bone china is still so highly revered.


Quick Facts

  • Most English porcelain manufacturers including Coalport, Royal Crown Derby, Royal Doulton, and Wedgwood still make bone china,
  • Josiah Spode's formula of six parts bone ash, four parts china stone, and three and a half parts china clay remains the base formula for bone china production today
  • China is now the biggest producer of bone china in the world

Recommended Items at Auction

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Signed Royal Doulton 'Bunnykins' fine bone china child’s cup & bowl set and an artist signed carved bunny figure
Nov 03, 7:00 PM EDT
Signed Royal Doulton 'Bunnykins' fine bone china child’s cup & bowl set and an artist signed carved bunny figure
by Roan Inc. Auctioneers & Appraisers
Est: $0- $0
$152 Bids
De Lamerie Fine Bone China heavily gilded Special Commission Floral patterned set of six trios (18)
Nov 08, 10:00 AM GMT
De Lamerie Fine Bone China heavily gilded Special Commission Floral patterned set of six trios (18)
by Potteries Auctions
Est: £200- £400
£1200 Bids
De Lamerie Fine Bone China heavily gilded Samarkand patterned large fruit bowl, diameter 26.5cm
Nov 08, 10:00 AM GMT
De Lamerie Fine Bone China heavily gilded Samarkand patterned large fruit bowl, diameter 26.5cm
by Potteries Auctions
Est: £50- £100
£300 Bids
De Lamerie Fine Bone China heavily gilded Samarkand patterned large Tureen, diameter 28cm
Nov 08, 10:00 AM GMT
De Lamerie Fine Bone China heavily gilded Samarkand patterned large Tureen, diameter 28cm
by Potteries Auctions
Est: £50- £100
£300 Bids
De Lamerie Fine Bone China heavily gilded Exotic Garden patterned large fruit bowl, diameter 26cm
Nov 08, 10:00 AM GMT
De Lamerie Fine Bone China heavily gilded Exotic Garden patterned large fruit bowl, diameter 26cm
by Potteries Auctions
Est: £50- £100
£300 Bids
James Rosenquist (1933-2017), "White Beard" Framed Limited Edition Fine Bone China Plate.
Nov 05, 10:00 AM PST
James Rosenquist (1933-2017), "White Beard" Framed Limited Edition Fine Bone China Plate.
by Robinhood Auctions
Est: $1,008- $1,260
$4200 Bids
Damien Hirst, "The Currency" Framed Fine Bone China Plate.
Nov 07, 10:00 AM PST
Damien Hirst, "The Currency" Framed Fine Bone China Plate.
by Robinhood Auctions
Est: $732- $915
$3000 Bids
Damien Hirst, "The Currency" Framed Fine Bone China Plate.
Nov 10, 10:00 AM PST
Damien Hirst, "The Currency" Framed Fine Bone China Plate.
by Robinhood Auctions
Est: $732- $915
$3000 Bids
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Portugal Sun La Talle Bone China Sets
Nov 22, 11:00 AM PST
Portugal Sun La Talle Bone China Sets
by Wealthier Art & Auction
Est: $20- $40
$10 Bids
Royal Vale Bone China Tea Set
Nov 07, 10:00 AM EST
Royal Vale Bone China Tea Set
by Berner's Auction Gallery
Est: $10- $10,000
$10 Bids
William Yeoward Bone China Haldon Cache Pot
Nov 21, 11:00 AM EST
William Yeoward Bone China Haldon Cache Pot
by Willow Auction House
Est: $100- $200
$500 Bids

Sellers Who Sell Fine Bone China


Potteries Auctions

Potteries Auctions

Robinhood Auctions

Robinhood Auctions

Berner's Auction Gallery

Berner's Auction Gallery

Roan Inc. Auctioneers & Appraisers

Roan Inc. Auctioneers & Appraisers