Is Bone China Really Made with Bone? The Truth Might Surprise You

You might have thought bone china got its name from its color or its toughness compared to other dinnerware. Perhaps you've never questioned it. However, the 'bone' in 'bone china' is not just for show—it's a literal part of the material. Bone china does, in fact, contain bone.

The bones are first calcined, meaning they're heated to such high temperatures that no organic material remains. They’re then ground into a fine powder called bone ash, which consists of calcium, phosphorus, and oxygen. Bone ash not only improves china's resistance to chips but also gives it a beautiful translucency, making it look fragile. This translucency is a key indicator of authenticity; as The Spruce Crafts notes, you should be able to see your finger outline through the porcelain when held up to light.

Bone china is actually a newer innovation compared to other types of porcelain. British artist Thomas Frye and his team first experimented with bone ash at his porcelain factory in the mid-1700s, but it gained widespread popularity after potter Josiah Spode II started using it in his creations around the turn of the 19th century. As the Spode Museum Trust states, Josiah Spode I, also a potter, first introduced ox bone ash into his porcelain in 1796, and his son continued the legacy after his father’s passing the following year.

Within a decade, bone china became popular among British porcelain manufacturers, and it soon spread to the American market. In fact, Spode II’s exact formula—six parts bone ash, four parts china stone, and parts china clay—remains the standard method for producing bone china today. While synthetic bone ash is available, it may not match the authentic material. “Because calcined bone possesses unique qualities that are hard to replicate synthetically, the real thing is still produced,” explains The Ceramic Shop. Their bone ash is made from cattle bones.