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How to Tell Porcelain Figurines From Ceramic

Differentiating porcelain figurines from ceramic ones involves the use of your senses; you only need to look, listen and feel. For aspiring collectors, there are experts with whom you can confer for documented authenticity, dollar value and history of your piece. Regardless, porcelain figurines add elegance and ambiance to your room's decor, while ceramic figurines add whimsy and a modern, youthful touch. Build a dimension of nostalgia in your room through inherited porcelain figurines and transform any space into your very own.

Things You'll Need

Ceramic figurines
Porcelain figurines
Mild soap
Water
Soft cloth
Lamp
Magnifying glass (optional)

Instructions

- 1
  Ensure that the figurines you want to analyze are clean. Use only mild soap and water, and never scrub vigorously as this prevents scratching. Drip dry or buff dry with a soft cloth.
- 2
  Put each figurine against a strong white light (lamp or sunlight). Slowly pass your finger between the light and your figurine. If your figurine is made from true porcelain, your finger will create a hazy shadow behind it. With ceramic figurines, on the other hand, there will not be a shadow at all. Translucence is a key characteristic of true porcelain, particularly in bone china porcelain.
- 3
  
  Real porcelain has a very smooth, glassy feel.
  
  Pass your finger over the figurine's surfaces. True porcelain will have a very smooth, glassy feel. Ceramic might have imperceptible bumps that your touch can distinguish better than your sight.
- 4
  
  Porcelain and ceramic markings are usually found at the base.
  
  Tap your fingernail very lightly over the figurine's edge. True porcelain will have a musical pitch to it, much like a tiny bell. For first-timers, compare the sound of true porcelain with that of ceramic (a mug, for example); the difference in pitch is quite distinct.
- 5
  Check for markings of your figurine's maker (name, year, company). Use a magnifying glass, if needed. Famous porcelain manufacturers, marks and time periods include Limoges, Sevre, Meissen, Lennox, Dresden, Lladro, Qing or Ming Dynasties, Nippon, Japan and Noritake.

Antiques