Every niche subject has its specific, descriptive words, its recognised terminology. These are words of international understanding, conveying a clear picture of the object being described. In the world of antiques this is extremely important, particularly when the object is not able to be seen and handled by the person receiving the descriptive information.
Antiques are a vast subject and each category under the title of -œantiques- has its own specific terminology. Key descriptive terms are used for antique categories such as silver, furniture, ceramics, glass, pictures, textiles, jewellery etc. Within my subject of antique ceramics, porcelain and pottery, I have noticed a consistent confusion over a particular group of ceramic terms. These include the terms, -œsoft paste- and -œhard paste- porcelain. The term -œsoft paste- is sometimes thought to mean that soft paste porcelain is -œsofter- than hard paste porcelain, (also known as, true porcelain), however, both of these terms actually refer to the kiln temperature, not the porcelain itself. It is actually the temperature that the porcelain is fired at; soft paste referring to a -œsoft fire-, which is usually about 1200°C. Soft paste is also known as -œartificial porcelain-, or, -œpate tendre-, when referring to French porcelain. By contrast, hard paste porcelain is fired with a hard fire, usually about 1450°C. Hard paste, or, true porcelain, derives its name from Chinese porcelain, first produced in that country over 2000 years ago. True or hard paste porcelain is made by the combination of two integral ingredients, white China clay, or Kaolin and -œpetuntse- as known in English and derived from the Chinese, -œPai-tun-tzu-. Technically, petuntse is a natural, fusible rock, which, when worked into a paste, combined with white China clay and fired with a -œhard- fire, at 1450°C, results in hard paste porcelain. Most European, soft paste porcelains belong to the 18th century and in general terms, most European hard paste porcelains belong in the 19th century. But, as always, there are a few exceptions. Another term which seems to be confused is the descriptive word for a ceramic figure. When the human form is depicted in porcelain or pottery, it is described as a -œfigure-. I have recently seen such a description with a figure described as a statue. The term statue is reserved for a life sized figure as found in a large garden or park! Alternately, when animals are described in porcelain and pottery, they are conventionally described as a -œmodel- i.e., a model of a seated spaniel, a model of an alert greyhound etc Every specialist subject from the vast range of antiques has its own recognised group of descriptive terms and using the correct terminology simply makes the information being offered clear and easily understood. The Antique & Vintage Table Lamp Co specialise in antique lamps with an on-line range of over 100 unique, antique lamps. Lamps are shipped ready wired for the US the UK and Australia. Ask to be included on our mailing list for updates. For more information you are invited to visit their web site at -: www.antiquelampshop.com © The Antique & Vintage Table Lamp Co 2009
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