Difference Between Fine Bone China & Ironstone

Bone China

• Josiah Spode II is credited with perfecting the formula for fine bone china in the late 1700s at his father's Stoke-on-Trent pottery in Staffordshire. He added bone ash to the usual clay and stone mixture. The finished pottery was translucent, pure white and much stronger than porcelain. This allowed delicate forms to be made without fear of chips or breaks. The costly materials and specialized labor needed to create bone china made it an expensive luxury item for most homes.

Ironstone

• Charles Mason owned a pottery at Staffordshire's Lane Delph. In 1813 he patented the formula for a new ceramic pottery he called "ironstone." Bone ash wasn't used in the mixture but rather a combination of other minerals that included feldspar. Ironstone pottery was harder than common earthenware or porcelain. It fired bright white like bone china but was thicker and not translucent. Ironstone cost much less to produce making it affordable. When Mason's patent ran out in 1827 other potteries began to offer versions of ironstone. "Graniteware," "stoneware," "hotel china" and "pearl china" are a few names.

Collecting Bone China

• Fine bone china continues to be a luxury purchase. Antique European pieces are highly collectible, especially English makers such as Spode or Roslyn. The glazing is smooth on fine bone china pieces and forms are delicate. Decorative patterns can be elaborate and might feature gold or silver highlights.

Collecting Ironstone

• Ironstone and the later versions have become collectible more recently. Ironstone's glazing has a matte or orange-peel texture. Raised patterns called "relief work" or simple designs such as berries or wheat sheaves are the most common decorations found on ironstone. Mason's original marked ironstone is most rare and collectible. The inked or impressed mark on the bottom of these pieces reads "Patent Ironstone China." The standard mark after 1815 includes a crown over a banner. The Mason name is not always present as part of the mark.