Given the name, it’s not uncommon for people to think that “china”, the porcelain, had to be made in China, the country. Indeed, the first real porcelain, from which all modern china products are effectively derived, was first made in China, which developed the techniques to make them.
However, fine bone china is not the original porcelain that came from China, but rather has its origins in the country in which it became so popular ‘England’. At Buttercup, we have decades of experience in all technicalities of fine bone china.
Fine bone china, amongst other kinds of bone china, was an almost exclusively English product ever since the late 18th century. For over 200 years since its development, its “home” has been here in Stoke-on-Trent. Many English manufacturers of fine bone china are still based right, here developing a reputation for being particularly high in quality.
The original porcelain, from which all forms of china, including bone china and fine bone china, was indeed developed in China. They found the methods of production that saw porcelain become such a valuable trade luxury. Bone china and fine bone china were based on British refinements of those techniques. However, as the per-capita productive output of China grew exponentially in recent years, so too has their production of bone china. As such, they are, right now, the biggest producer of bone china in the world.
For 200 years, the Uk was the primary producer and consumer of fine bone china. However, in the mid-20th century, other producers around the world began to pick it up. So where is it made now?
If you’re looking for high-quality fine bone china, then you’re still likely to find the very best products here in the UK. Our factory in Stoke-on-Trent operates with over thirty years of experience in the industry, working with heritage in fine bone china design and decorating facilities that helps set us apart not just in the country, but across the world.
Our dedication to the craft, paired with a design process that ensures the highest quality and most pleasing items, has helped us win over a wide range of customers. As such, we can take all manner of custom designs and turn them into real products, as well as selling our very own range.
Fine bone china has had an interesting trip around the world, but many would consider that Stoke-on-Trent in the UK has always been its traditional home. As such, it is with local teams like Buttercup that you can find the traditions of design and technicalities to be kept most true.
