The basic types of ceramics can be categorised as:
Porcelain ( Made with the inclusion of China Clay in the body). It is finer and more translucent than pottery. Pots tend to be lighter weight and more delicate. The easiest distinction is to shine a light into a pot. If you can see the light though it it is most likely to be Porcelain.There are two main types:
Hard Paste ( most porcelain found today). This is used for most " China" produced in Britain examples of which can be found from many of the best manufacturessuch as Wedgwood and Royal Doulton. A chipped piececan have a shell like edge which helps to determine that the piece is porcelain.
Soft Paste ( early European porcelain)
Pottery. Thicker walled and more solid than porcelain. Light does not show through a pottery body. Pottery needs to be glazed before use with liquids as it is porous in its unglazed state. The main types are:
Earthenware. Lightly fired and unglazed it is known as "Terracotta". Earthenware pots were theearliest type of pots produced in Britain. The clay is quite coarse. For exampleDevon and Cornwallmotto ware are made of Earthenware. This is quite a soft body and chips easily.
Stoneware ( fired at a very high temperature) is harder and more durable than Earthenware. A good example of Stoneware used today can be seen in Denby Pottery.
Anne Haile - Antiques Dealer and Writer. You can contact me via my Antiques Shop and read more at my Antiques Blog.