The difference between pottery and porcelain

The difference between pottery and porcelain: 1. Production process; 2. Firing temperature; 3. Raw material selection; 4. Texture; 5. Transparency; 6. Glaze; 7. Style; 8. Weight; 9 , usage history; 10. Regional differences. Detailed introduction: 1. Production process. Pottery is usually made by hand-kneading, wheeling or molding, while porcelain needs to go through processes such as mixing, shaping and calcination, and the production process is more delicate; 2. Firing temperature, The firing temperature of pottery is usually lower, between about 800°C and 1200°C, while the firing temperature of porcelain is higher, usually above 1200°C, and so on.

Although pottery and porcelain are made of raw materials such as clay or porcelain stone, their production process, firing temperature, raw material selection, texture, transparency, There are significant differences in glazes, styles, etc.

1. Production process: Pottery is usually made by hand-kneading, wheel-making or molding, while porcelain needs to go through processes such as mixing, shaping and calcining, and the production process is more complex. for fineness.

2. Firing temperature: The firing temperature of pottery is usually lower, about 800℃ to 1200℃, while the firing temperature of porcelain is higher, usually 1200℃ Above, sometimes even as high as 1400℃.

3. Selection of raw materials: Pottery has relatively low requirements for raw materials, and ordinary clay can be used to bake pottery. Porcelain requires specific high-quality raw materials such as porcelain stone or kaolin clay, and only after careful processing can high-quality porcelain be produced.

4. Texture: Due to differences in firing temperature and raw materials, the texture of pottery is relatively rough, the color is dull, and it has strong water absorption. The texture of porcelain is more delicate, the color is brighter, and it basically does not absorb water.

5. Transparency: Even if the pottery body is relatively thin, it is not translucent. For example, the black pottery of the Longshan Culture is as thin as an eggshell, but not transparent. No matter how thin or thick the porcelain body is, it is translucent.

6. Glaze: There are two types of pottery: glazed and unglazed. The glaze of glazed pottery can be melted at a lower firing temperature. There are two types of glazes for porcelain: high-temperature and low-temperature glazes. They can be fired once with the carcass at high temperature, or they can be hung with low-temperature glaze on the high-temperature plain fired carcass and fired a second time at low temperature.

7. Style: The shape of pottery is generally relatively simple, looking rough and simple. The shape of porcelain is more refined, looking delicate, smooth and elegant.

8. Weight: Due to the high density of porcelain and the low density of pottery, when weighing ceramics of the same size and thickness in your hands, you will obviously feel that porcelain is heavier and solid, while pottery is lighter. .

9. History of use: In history, pottery appeared much earlier than porcelain. As early as ancient times, people have begun to make and use pottery. The appearance of porcelain was after the Han Dynasty in China.

10. Regional differences: Although pottery and porcelain have a long history in China, there are obvious differences in their geographical distribution. Pottery is mainly produced in Henan, Hebei, Shanxi and Shaanxi in the Yellow River Basin, while porcelain is mainly produced in Jiangxi, Zhejiang, Hunan and Hubei in the Yangtze River Basin.

To sum up, although pottery and porcelain are vessels made of raw materials such as clay or porcelain stone, their production process, firing temperature, raw material selection, texture, transparency, glaze, style, There are significant differences in weight, usage history and geography. These differences make pottery and porcelain different in appearance, function and use.

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