How do I identify soft-paste porcelain?

Soft-paste porcelain can often be identified by its slightly warmer, more translucent body and a softer glaze that may show fine crazing or small potting imperfections under magnification. The footrims frequently display unglazed patches where kiln props supported the item during firing. Older pieces lack the harsh, brilliant whiteness and extreme hardness of later bone china or true hard-paste porcelain. Handling familiar factory bodies helps develop an eye for the distinct weight and texture of these early English wares.

What were tea bowls used for?

Tea bowls served as small, handleless cups for drinking brewed tea during the eighteenth century, when tea was an expensive commodity enjoyed in formal social settings. Guests held the small vessels in both hands to sip the hot liquid. Saucers accompanied the bowls to catch drips or to allow tea to cool after being poured from the teapot. These matched sets formed an essential part of the Georgian tea table display.

Why do some pieces feature anchor marks?

Anchor marks serve as factory identifiers used by the Chelsea porcelain manufactory during the eighteenth century to denote specific production periods. Gold anchor marks generally indicate the later, more finely decorated output of the factory. Red anchor marks identify wares produced during the preceding decade, which often featured lighter bodies and polychrome painting styles. These painted symbols helped retailers and customers recognise the origin of the ceramics.

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Georgian Soft Paste China

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Georgian soft paste china comprises eighteenth-century porcelain tea wares, tableware and figures modelled with early glassy bodies and hand-painted decoration.