For the development of its particular characteristics like the translucent White, the hard and waterproof consistency porcelain requires specific raw materials and precisely defined production methods. Porcelain is made of 50% of kaolin, 25% of quartz and 25% of feldspar. The clay is prepared by grinding and mixing the different raw materials.

There have been and still are important deposits of kaolin in Czech Republic (Bohemia), in Germany (Thuringia), in France (Limoges), in United Kingdom of Great Britain (Cornwall) and in Upper Palatinate (Bavaria/Germany). Numerous porcelain factories were built nearby these deposits and Selb in Bavaria or Limoges in France became European centres of porcelain production.

Kaolin is raised as raw kaolin, mostly in opencast mining. Big mechanical diggers shovel the contaminated kaolin into water tanks. Little by little the mushy mixture is transported onto various basins. During this procedure more and more of the heavy elements, like sand, settle and the lightweight kaolin remains. It is dehumidified and delivered onto clay preparation.

In the 18th century all this was still hard manual work. In those days the kaolin was carried from the mines in baskets, cleaned in basins and finally dehumidified in big metal tubs over open fire.

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2. Preparation of the Clay.