Petuntse

Petuntse (from Chinese: 白墩子; pinyin: báidūnzì), also spelled petunse and bai dunzi, baidunzi, is a historic term for a wide range of micaceous or feldspathic rocks. However, all will have been subject to geological alteration of igneous rocks that result in materials which, after processing, are suitable as a raw material for some ceramic formulations. The name means "little white bricks", referring to the form in which it was transported to the potteries (compare ball clay).^[1]

19th century illustration of the extraction of petuntse and kaolin in China

It was, and to some extent continues to be, an important raw material for porcelain. The name Pottery stone is now used.^{[2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11]} The alternative name of Porcelain stone is occasionally used.^[12][13]

According to one source, it is mixed with kaolin in proportions varying according to the grade of porcelain to be produced; equal quantities for the best and two thirds petuntse to one third kaolin for everyday ware.^[14] There were large deposits of high-quality stone in Jiangxi province in south-eastern China, which became a centre for porcelain production, especially in Jingdezhen ware.^[15]

Non-Chinese pottery stones

A lump of Japanese pottery stone

Similar material is found, and used, in Japan, Korea and Thailand.^{[16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23]}

China stone, which is found uniquely in southwestern England, shares some similarities to Asian pottery stones, although there are differences in mineralogy.^[24][25][26] Relatively similar material to China stone has been mined, and exported to England for ceramics use, in the Isle of Man and Jersey.^{[27][28][29][30][31][32]}

References

1. Rawson, pp. 215–216, 361.
2. ’Oxygen, Hydrogen And Carbon Isotopic Study Of The Amakusa Pottery Stone Deposits In Altered Rhyolite Dikes, Kyushu, Southwest Japan’ Y. Matsuhisa And Y. Togash. Geochemical Journal, Vol. 13, Pp. 173 To 179, 1979
3. ’Characterization Of Clay Raw Materials In Nepal And Heir Applicability For Porcelain Raw Material. J. Bhattarai And K. Okada. Clay Science 8, 393-402 (1992)
4. ’Quality Improvement Of Lampang Clay For Porcelain Bodies’ S. Thiansem, W. Schulle, K. Kaew-Kam-Nerd. P. Thavornyutikarn, S. Phanichphant. Scienceasia 28 (2002): 145-152
5. ’Clay Mineral Associations And Mineralogical Properties Of Quartz In Some Pottery Stones Of Western Kyushu, Japan’ M. Nakagawa. Applied Clay Science, 8 (1994) 331-347 Elsevier Science
6. ’Ammonium-Bearing Mica And Mica/Smectite Of Several Pottery Stone And Pyrophyllite Deposits In Japan: Their Mineralogical Properties And Utilization’ S. Higashi. Applied Clay Science 16 (2000) 171-184
7. ’Phase Composition And Morphology Of Pottery Stone Microcrystalline Powders Synthesized By Hydrothermal Method’ A. Larpkasemsuk, S. Chuayjuljit, D. Pongkao Kashima. Advanced Materials Research (Volume 664)
8. ’Effects Of Analcime Zeolite Synthesized From Local Pottery Stone As Nucleating Agent On Crystallization Behaviors And Mechanical Properties Of Isotactic Polypropylene’ S. Chuayjuljit, A. Larpkasemsuk, P. Chaiwutthinan, D. Pongkao Kashima, A. Boonmahitthisud. Journal Of Vinyl And Additive Technology. Volume24, Issues. Special Issue: Additives And Fillers, May 2018. Pages E85-E95
9. ‘State Of Flux - Feldspar Developments Continue Apace.’ Asian Ceramics. September 2002, pp. 32–33, 35, 37.
10. ‘High Mechanical Strength Porcelain Body Prepared From Amakusa Pottery Stone Containing Soda Feldspar.’ K. Hamano, A.Hatano, S.Okada. J. Ceram. Soc. Jap. 101, No.9, 1993, pp. 1038–1043.
11. ‘Refinement Of The Low-Grade Pottery Stone By Hydrothermal Treatment.’ K.Kimura, H.Tateyama, K.Jinnai. Deutsche Keramische Gesellschaft. Proc. Silicer '90 Nurnberg, 26–28 September 1990, p. 103–110.
12. Kerr, Needham & Wood, 225; Vainker, 124.
13. ‘Chinese Porcelain’. N.Wood. Pottery Q. 12, (47), 101, 1977.
14. Macintosh, p. 196
15. Vainker, p. 124.
16. ’Oxygen, Hydrogen And Carbon Isotopic Study Of The Amakusa Pottery Stone Deposits In Altered Rhyolite Dikes, Kyushu, Southwest Japan’ Y. Matsuhisa And Y. Togash. Geochemical Journal, Vol. 13, Pp. 173 To 179, 1979
17. ’Clay Mineral Associations And Mineralogical Properties Of Quartz In Some Pottery Stones Of Western Kyushu, Japan’ M. Nakagawa. Applied Clay Science, 8 (1994) 331-347 Elsevier Science
18. ’Ammonium-Bearing Mica And Mica/Smectite Of Several Pottery Stone And Pyrophyllite Deposits In Japan: Their Mineralogical Properties And Utilization’ S. Higashi. Applied Clay Science 16 (2000) 171-184
19. ’Phase Composition And Morphology Of Pottery Stone Microcrystalline Powders Synthesized By Hydrothermal Method’ A. Larpkasemsuk, S. Chuayjuljit, D. Pongkao Kashima. Advanced Materials Research (Volume 664)
20. ’Effects Of Analcime Zeolite Synthesized From Local Pottery Stone As Nucleating Agent On Crystallization Behaviors And Mechanical Properties Of Isotactic Polypropylene’ S. Chuayjuljit, A. Larpkasemsuk, P. Chaiwutthinan, D. Pongkao Kashima, A. Boonmahitthisud. Journal Of Vinyl And Additive Technology. Volume24, Issues. Special Issue: Additives And Fillers, May 2018. Pages E85-E95
21. ’A Scientific Study Of Traditional Korean Celadons And Their Modern Developments’C. K. Koh Choo. Archeometry. Vol/ 37, Issue1. Feb. 1995. Pgs. 53-81
22. ’A Quarter Century Of Scientific Study On Korean Traditional Ceramics Culture: From Mounds Of Waste Shards To Masterpieces Of Bisaek Celadon’ C. Choo. Conservation And Restoration Of Cultural Heritage. Vol.1, No.1, , Dec. 2012. Pgs. 39-48
23. ’Quality Improvement Of Lampang Clay For Porcelain Bodies’ S. Thiansem, W. Schulle, K. Kaew-Kam-Nerd. P. Thavornyutikarn, S. Phanichphant. Scienceasia 28 (2002): 145-152
24. 'Changes & Developments Of Non-plastic Raw Materials. A. Sugden. International Ceramics, Issue 2 2001.
25. 'Mineral Resource Information For Development Plans - Cornwall: Resources And Constraints. British Geological Survey. 1997. Pg. 12
26. 'Ceramic Raw Materials. W.E.Worrall. The Institute Of Ceramics / Pergamon Press, 1982
27. ’Dictionary of Ceramics’ 3rd edition. A. Dodd, D. Murfin, The Institute of Materials, 1994
28. ’Manx Mines Rocks And Minerals’ F. J. Radcliffe. Manx Heritage Foundation, 1994
29. ’Leadless Decorative Tiles - Faience And Mosaic’ W. J. Furnival, 1904. Pg. 321-323
30. ’An Encyclopaedia Of The Ceramic Industries’ A. B. Searle. Ernest Benn Limited, 1929. Pg. 223
31. Transactions of the Ceramic Society. Ceramic Society (Great Britain). Vol. 37, 1937. Pgs. 36-37
32. ’A Dictionary of Mining, Mineral, and Related Terms’ United States Bureau of Mines, 1968. Pg. 203

Further reading

• Macintosh, D., Chinese Blue and White Porcelain, 3rd ed., 1994, Antique Collectors' Club, ISBN 978-1-85149-210-7
• Rose Kerr, Joseph Needham, Nigel Wood, Science and Civilisation in China: Volume 5, Chemistry and Chemical Technology, Part 12, Ceramic Technology, 2004, Cambridge University Press, ISBN 978-0-521-83833-7, google books
• Rawson, Jessica (ed). The British Museum Book of Chinese Art, 2007 (2nd edn), British Museum Press, ISBN 978-0-7141-2446-9
• Vainker, S.J., Chinese Pottery and Porcelain, 1991, British Museum Press, ISBN 978-0-7141-1470-5