What is the difference between hard and soft paste?

Soft-paste porcelain contains glass and clay mixtures fired at lower temperatures, producing a slightly warmer tone and softer glaze. Hard-paste porcelain uses kaolin and petuntse fired at higher temperatures for a harder, whiter body. Examination under magnification or checking light translucency helps identify the paste type used in eighteenth-century pieces.

How do I display antique porcelain safely?

Place plates in fitted stands or secure them inside glazed display cabinets to protect them from dust and accidental knocks. Keep pieces away from direct sunlight to preserve the enameled colours and gold leaf. Ensure table lamps and heavier items sit on stable surfaces away from high-traffic areas and vibrations.

Are nineteenth-century Paris porcelain pieces marked?

Many nineteenth-century Paris porcelain items carry painted or impressed factory marks, though numerous workshops operated without formal signatures. Unmarked pieces are often attributed through stylistic comparisons and decorative techniques. Inspect the base and foot rim for factory ciphers, decorator initials, or retailer stamps.

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French Porcelain China

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French antique porcelain china brings together delicate biscuit figures, hand-painted cabinet plates, and grand display vitrines spanning the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.