• Source: Petuntse

Petuntse (from Chinese: 白墩子; pinyin: báidūnzì), also spelled petunse and bai dunzi, baidunzi, is a historic term for a wide range of micaceous or feldspathic rocks. However, all will have been subject to geological alteration of igneous rocks that result in materials which, after processing, are suitable as a raw material for some ceramic formulations. The name means "little white bricks", referring to the form in which it was transported to the potteries (compare ball clay).
It was, and to some extent continues to be, an important raw material for porcelain. The name Pottery stone is now used. The alternative name of Porcelain stone is occasionally used.
According to one source, it is mixed with kaolin in proportions varying according to the grade of porcelain to be produced; equal quantities for the best and two thirds petuntse to one third kaolin for everyday ware. There were large deposits of high-quality stone in Jiangxi province in south-eastern China, which became a centre for porcelain production, especially in Jingdezhen ware.




Non-Chinese pottery stones



Similar material is found, and used, in Japan, Korea and Thailand.
China stone, which is found uniquely in southwestern England, shares some similarities to Asian pottery stones, although there are differences in mineralogy. Relatively similar material to China stone has been mined, and exported to England for ceramics use, in the Isle of Man and Jersey.




References






Further reading


Macintosh, D., Chinese Blue and White Porcelain, 3rd ed., 1994, Antique Collectors' Club, ISBN 978-1-85149-210-7
Rose Kerr, Joseph Needham, Nigel Wood, Science and Civilisation in China: Volume 5, Chemistry and Chemical Technology, Part 12, Ceramic Technology, 2004, Cambridge University Press, ISBN 978-0-521-83833-7, google books
Rawson, Jessica (ed). The British Museum Book of Chinese Art, 2007 (2nd edn), British Museum Press, ISBN 978-0-7141-2446-9
Vainker, S.J., Chinese Pottery and Porcelain, 1991, British Museum Press, ISBN 978-0-7141-1470-5

Kata Kunci Pencarian:

• Petuntse
• Limoges porcelain
• Hard-paste porcelain
• Jingdezhen
• China stone
• Jingdezhen porcelain
• Porcelain
• Chinese export porcelain
• Chinese art
• Mining in Japan