Pottery and porcelain stand as ancient and pivotal crafts that have profoundly shaped the course of human civilization.

Despite their common usage, these two art forms possess substantial distinctions.

1. Definition and Origin

Pottery:

Pottery refers to vessels or artworks crafted from clay. The material, a natural clay substance, undergoes shaping, drying, and firing to achieve hardness. Pottery typically bears a rough texture with a thickness, often displaying coarse patterns.

Originating from ancient civilizations, pottery represents one of humanity's earliest ceramic techniques. The late Neolithic Age witnessed the emergence of pottery vessels, providing an efficient means for storing, cooking, and transporting food.

Porcelain:

Porcelain, a fine and hard ceramic, derives from china clay, also known as porcelain clay. This clay, rich in minerals like quartz, transforms into porcelain with exceptional heat, acid, and alkali resistance after high-temperature firing.

Contrary to pottery, porcelain features a smoother surface and a more delicate texture. The production of porcelain involves a complex process, requiring multiple firing stages.

2. Differences in Production Techniques

Pottery Making Process:

The pottery-making process is relatively straightforward. The potter collects clay, shapes it through stirring, kneading, and drawing, and then subjects it to drying and initial low-temperature firing for hardness.

Subsequent processes like painting or glaze decoration precede the final high-temperature firing, completing the pottery.

Porcelain Making Process:

Compared to pottery, porcelain production entails a more intricate process. Porcelain clay undergoes meticulous processing to remove impurities, followed by steps like crushing and mixing to create a blank.

Shaping the blank into the desired form involves various techniques such as hand-making or rotational molding. The porcelain then experiences an initial high-temperature firing for initial hardness, followed by a second high-temperature glaze firing for a smooth and robust surface.

3. Different Firing Temperatures

The primary distinction between pottery and porcelain lies in the raw material and firing temperature. Pottery fires at 800-1000 degrees, whereas porcelain fires at 1300-1400 degrees.

The addition of higher temperatures to pottery-making transforms it into porcelain. Porcelain stands as an upgraded version of pottery, with pottery being its precursor. Notably, many contemporary "pottery" products are technically porcelain due to high-temperature firing.

4. Different Degrees of Hardness

Pottery, with its lower firing temperature, results in a less sintered body, rough texture, and high water absorption. Porcelain, firing at higher temperatures, yields a strong, dense carcass with low water absorption, a crisp sound when struck, and greater hardness compared to pottery.

5. Different Raw Materials

Pottery can be crafted from ordinary clay, whereas porcelain necessitates specific materials like kaolin clay. Firing temperatures determine the transformation, with porcelain requiring temperatures above 1200°C.

6. Differences in Glazing

Glazing, a crucial aspect of porcelain, enhances strength, isolates gas and liquid, and beautifies the surface. Pottery is often unglazed or features low-temperature glazing, while porcelain boasts a layer of high-temperature glaze for a firmly bonded, evenly thick finish.

In conclusion, while both pottery and porcelain share clay as their base, their disparities in production technology, historical evolution, and cultural significance contribute to a rich and diverse ceramic culture.

These crafts have played an indispensable role in shaping and preserving the tapestry of human civilization.