5 Tricks for Recognising Quality Porcelain

Recognising quality porcelain requires an expert eye and the ability to carefully observe certain specific characteristics. Here are, very briefly, 5 things to check to determine whether a piece of porcelain is of quality:

1. Sound and resonance:Quality porcelain produces a clear, melodious sound when struck gently. By holding the piece by the edge and tapping it lightly with a finger or other porcelain, a clear and pleasant sound should be heard. If the sound is dull or muted, it may indicate that the piece is not made of high quality materials.
2. Transparency:Good quality porcelain is generally translucent, which means that you can see light through it. By holding the piece against the light, you should be able to see a slight transparency. This is particularly evident in the thin edges of plates and cups.
3. Uniform glaze and lustre:A hallmark of high-quality porcelain is an even and lustrous glaze. The surface should be smooth to the touch and free of imperfections such as lumps, air bubbles or stains. The overall appearance should be shiny and reflective, with no signs of dullness or streaks, and purity of colour.
4. Details and decorations:If the piece is decorated, check the quality of the details and decorations. Lines should be sharp and well defined, without smudges or ripples. If there are paintings, make sure they are uniform and well executed, without spots or irregularities.
5. Trademarks and certificates of authenticity:High-quality porcelain is marked with trademarks or seals indicating the manufacturer and place of production; often also the date. Look for these marks and the date on the bottom or back of the piece. Also, if possible, check whether the piece comes with a certificate of authenticity or documentation attesting to its provenance and authenticity.

By taking into account these five characteristics and carefully observing the piece, you can improve your skills in recognising quality porcelain and distinguish authentic pieces from low-quality or counterfeit ones.

Remember:

porcelains made in Northern Europe use clays containing kaolin for the body, which gives them hardness and strength. In Italy, particularly in Capodimonte, the impasto on the other hand does not contain kaolin and this makes it possible to form a soft paste that can even be worked with a brush. Even among porcelains of the highest quality there are therefore important differences in material, and when examining pieces of different provenance there may be small differences. But they are all beautiful porcelains, and all of quality.

Lastly, quality porcelain is almost exclusively handmade: the hand of man is always required in every part of the manufacturing process and finishing of each piece. Craftsman porcelain actually consists of collections of unique and unrepeatable pieces, which when observed in detail will differ from each other by tiny details that the expert eye will be able to spot.

Large production porcelain ('industrial' is a misnomer, however, because it always requires great care in its production), such as the porcelain we also sell, is of quality when the material is homogeneous, the finish is precise and, with the necessary approximation, without defects. It is the examination of adequate quantities of specimens of pieces from a given series that determines whether the workmanship is indeed of quality. But there is also quality in large-scale production.

One thing is for sure: the sublime charm of porcelain is absolutely unique, and in the world of giftware, porcelain is always the most elegant material to give as a gift.