Porcelain / Ceramics
Ceramic Figures and Porcelain Sculptures: Creating a Work of Art With up to 1,000 Degrees
Ceramics serves as a general term for various classes and subclasses of ceramic masses that are fired in a kiln, for example, porcelain, earthenware, or stoneware. For numerous thousands of years, ceramics were primarily used to produce consumer goods such as vessels, tableware, or tiles. While ceramic sculptures were occasionally made since the invention of firing clay, this technique truly established itself in the visual arts only from the 19th century onwards. Ceramics and porcelain are very well suited for sculptures and figures. Their production is not much different from that of everyday objects: Initially, a mineral mass must be mixed, which can consist of different blends. This mixture is shaped through pressing or casting and then fired in a kiln at temperatures up to 1000 degrees Celsius. Numerous famous artists created ceramic sculptures or porcelain figures during their careers, for example, Pablo Picasso, Lucio Fontana, Kiki Smith, and Tony Cragg.
Porcelain - The "White Gold"
Among the various material mixtures for ceramic products, porcelain is the noblest variety. Porcelain busts or porcelain statues radiate a unique charm. It is no wonder that porcelain is also referred to as "white gold". However, the production of porcelain is more complex than that of other ceramic products. The raw materials required are the rock kaolin and the minerals quartz and feldspar. These are mixed with water into a viscous mass and shaped into the desired form. After several firing cycles, the porcelain is gradually solidified. The natural white and non-porous smooth surface of the porcelain radiates an unmistakable delicate sheen. However, it can be refined with glazes, gold leaf or colours. Because of the long manufacturing process, finely crafted porcelain sculptures are considered particularly valuable.
Buy Ceramic Sculptures and Porcelain Sculptures at ars mundi
If you would like to buy ceramic figurines or porcelain figurines, here at ars mundi, you will find a large selection. Numerous artists chose ceramics and especially porcelain as their material of choice and designed sculptures, figures and busts in many different styles ranging from classical to modern: We present you cheerful decorative objects such as penguins, owls, elephants, fish or cats, porcelain sculptures in the style of Pop Art by James Rizzi or Romero Britto or abstract objects, such as those by Carmen Otero ("Algarve") or Stephan Marienfeld ("TWIST").