Stoneware

Stoneware is a rather broad term for pottery or other ceramics fired at a relatively high temperature.

A modern technical definition is a vitreous or semi-vitreous ceramic made primarily from stoneware clay or non-refractory fire clay.

Whether vitrified or not, it is nonporous (does not soak up liquids); it may or may not be glazed. Historically, across the world, it has usually been developed after earthenware and before porcelain, and has often been used for high-quality as well as utilitarian wares.

Glazed Chinese stoneware storage jar from the Han Dynasty

Stoneware is not recognised as a category in traditional East Asian terminology, and much Asian stoneware, such as Chinese Ding ware for example, is counted as porcelain by local definitions.

Terms such as "porcellaneous" or "near-porcelain" may be used in such cases. One widely recognised definition of stoneware is from the Combined Nomenclature of the European Communities, a European industry standard. It states:

"Stoneware, which, though dense, impermeable and hard enough to resist scratching by a steel point, differs from porcelain because it is more opaque, and normally only partially vitrified. It may be vitreous or semi-vitreous.

It is usually coloured grey or brownish because of impurities in the clay used for its manufacture, and is normally glazed."

Five basic categories of stoneware have been suggested:

Traditional stoneware – a dense and inexpensive body. It is opaque, can be of any colour and breaks with a conchoidal or stony fracture. Traditionally made of fine-grained secondary, plastic clays which can used to shape very large pieces.

Fine stoneware – made from more carefully selected, prepared, and blended raw materials. It is used to produce tableware and art ware.

Chemical stoneware – used in the chemical industry, and when resistance to chemical attack is needed. Purer raw materials are used than for other stoneware bodies. Ali Baba is a popular name for a large chemical stoneware jars of up to 5,000 litres capacity used to store acids.

Thermal shock resistant stoneware – has additions of certain materials to enhance the thermal shock resistance of the fired body.

Electrical stoneware – historically used for electrical insulators, although it has been replaced by electrical porcelain.

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