Ceramics, porcelain and earthenware, what is the difference?

Introduction

Perhaps you have already asked yourself the question: What is the difference between ceramic and porcelain?

These two words are used interchangeably by most people. The reason behind this is that they are cousin products: their manufacturing method can be very similar. Today, widely used in interior decoration and dressing, including tableware, ceramics and porcelain have become essential. Discover in this article their history, their manufacturing stages and their differences.

...ceramics is in fact the first art of fire mastered by man

The history of ceramics

The era of prehistory

Today, widely used by artisans around the world, ceramics are in fact the first art of fire mastered by man, even preceding glass and metal. It has conquered cultures and civilizations over the centuries and has continued to reflect the evolution of man's influence on natural materials with the sophistication of techniques, shapes and decorations.

Since prehistoric times, men have observed and worked this natural and abundant material that is earth. Over time, techniques have been perfected, for example with the potter's wheel, which allows more regular shapes to be made, and even firing, which has become more precise.

Designer and useful ceramics

Initially, it had ritual functions: in fact, these terracotta objects accompanied the deceased in the form of figurines, as in Japan, or even pottery in Colombian civilizations.

Over time, this art finds a more useful function and finds its place in our home: bowls, pitchers, plates, pots, etc. Ceramics are essential for everyday life, for eating, for transporting, for cooking.

Of course, ceramics are also decorative. Some objects are carefully decorated: white porcelain, Berber tableware, Chinese vases... Artists express their talent through this technique that can even be found in the Parisian metro with the famous earthenware tiles.

…even found in the Parisian metro with the famous earthenware tiles.

What is the difference between ceramic and porcelain?

Ceramics

Coming from the Greek word - keramos - which means clay, ceramics is defined by the art of the potter, the one who makes pottery or terracotta objects. Ceramics is a generic term but it is also the term that designates the technique (the art of ceramics) and the material. This word then groups together several objects and several techniques and it is easy to be mistaken and confuse between porcelain, pottery, earthenware and stoneware.

Pottery

An earthenware object made from a common clay. The clays can be of several colors: red, they contain iron, the white ones can contain limestone, silica or kaolin. The manufacturing is done by modeling, throwing and finally molding. The pottery is called "glazed", when the porous paste is waterproofed using an "enamel".

It is said to have originated in China around the 2nd century AD. Hard porcelain and soft porcelain...

Porcelain

It is said to have originated in China around the 2nd century AD. Hard porcelain and soft porcelain are the two main families of European porcelain. The first does not use natural clay but a mixture of kaolin and is not scratchable, while soft porcelain uses clay and is scratchable. Once the paste is prepared, the object is fired, enameled, fired again, decorated and fired one last time. It is easily recognized by its translucent character. Porcelain tableware, impermeable and solid, is the finest and whitest.

Earthenware

It is made from a clayey earth, covered with tin-based enamel, white or colored. The decoration can be placed on the raw enamel or after firing. There are several types of lead-based earthenware, tin-based earthenware, and fine earthenware made with a clay chosen for the high quality of its whiteness.

Sandstone

It is very hard, thanks to its firing, a first time at 900°C, and a second time at a very high temperature, at more than 1,200°C. It was born in China and was introduced to the West in the 14th century. Used for utilitarian objects, for tiles or even for pipes, it is shock-resistant: it is the most rustic ceramic.

Conclusion

You will therefore understand that Pottery, Porcelain, Earthenware and Stoneware are part of the same family which is ceramics. The difference between these techniques is mainly linked to the raw materials as well as the cooking methods used, the number and temperatures of which vary from one technique to another.

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