In each issue, the bimonthly DAR magazine, American Spirit, highlights an object from the DAR Museum collection in its "National Treasures" feature. These objects, often recent accessions or important pieces in the current exhibit, always have a story to tell about American history.

National Treasures

Strong Set

The British ceramics factory Wedgwood made this bone china cream pot and covered sugar bowl between 1812 and 1831. Wedgwood did not invent bone china; Josiah Spode II is credited with developing it in 1799. Bone china, a form of porcelain, actually has bone ash mixed into the formula. Other ingredients include china clay, feldspathic rock and flint. The high percentage of bone ash in the formula produces a superior product that is whiter in color, lighter in weight and less brittle.

Wedgwood was slow to introduce bone china wares, only doing so in 1812. In this early period, Wedgwood bone china was limited to tea sets and dessert services. Many of the early designs were influenced by Chinese styles, as seen on these examples. Though considered to be of high quality, consumers considered Wedgwood's bone china designs old-fashioned and too expensive. Wedgwood stopped producing bone china in 1831, although production resumed in 1878.