When it comes to ceramic sculpture-making, the choice between bone china and hard-paste porcelain significantly impacts the final artwork. Bone china, composed of bone ash, kaolin, and feldspar, offers a delicate translucency and creamy white finish prized for elegant figurines. Its lower firing temperature (1200°C) makes it more workable but slightly less durable than porcelain. Hard-paste porcelain, made from kaolin and petuntse, fires at higher temperatures (1400°C), resulting in exceptional strength and vitreous quality ideal for detailed sculptures.

Artists favor bone china for its warm ivory tone and ability to capture intricate lace-like details, while porcelain's pure white color and structural integrity make it perfect for bold contemporary pieces. The material differences extend to working methods - bone china requires careful handling during the leather-hard stage, whereas porcelain's plasticity allows for extended sculpting time. Collectors should note bone china sculptures may develop fine cracks over decades, while porcelain maintains its integrity for centuries. Understanding these material characteristics helps artists select the perfect medium for their creative vision.