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How to Identify Soft-Paste Porcelain

Soft-paste porcelain got its start in the 1500s when Europeans tried replicating the hard-paste porcelain produced in China. It uses several different ingredients and methods. Not as sought-after as hard-paste porcelain, it's popular among people who prefer a cream color or a softer feel to their porcelain pieces. You should have no problems identifying soft-paste porcelain with a few simple tests.

Things You'll Need

Handheld file
Bright light
Magnifying glass
Soap

Instructions

- 1
  Look at the color of the porcelain. Soft-paste porcelain has a cream color. Hard-paste porcelain is white.
- 2
  Drag a handheld file gently across the porcelain. If cuts appear, it's soft-paste. Hard-paste porcelain cannot be cut with a file.
- 3
  Feel the porcelain with your fingertips. Soft-paste porcelain has a slightly coarse texture. Hard-paste porcelain is smooth.
- 4
  Hold the porcelain to a bright light. Because soft-paste porcelain is porous, you should see very faint air pockets.
- 5
  Inspect the piece with a magnifying glass and look for scratches. Soft-paste porcelain can be scratched; hard-paste cannot.
- 6
  Wash the porcelain gently with soap and water. With a porous surface, soft-paste porcelain isn't easily cleaned.

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