The ceramic is obtained from the combination of clay, kaolin and the quartz rock fired in specific ways. The technique and the art of porcelain manufacture is believed to have been first realized in China. Starting with the 6th century BC Chinese porcelain was exclusively fabricated for the China inhabitants who adopted this new type of art very quickly although it was not too affordable. Only the high and medium classes had access to it. Meanwhile the rest of the population was still using the old cheap pottery. After the year 1000 the secret of Chinese porcelain fabrication passed in Korea and Japan.

It might be considered that the Chinese porcelain was made famous by the tea drinking habit. The Chinese preferred to use small cups for tea serving. These were painted with dragons, phoenix birds, plant leafs, flowers and many other motifs. The Yixing tea cups and tea pots originated from Jiangsu Province were the most famous and appreciated pieces of Chinese porcelain during the Song Dynasty, more than 1000 years ago. The Song Dynasty had the most important role in the history of Chinese porcelain because between 960 and 1279 it has produced the finest, extremely expensive and rare Chinese porcelain, called Ru. There were also other types of Chinese porcelain: Jun, Guan, Ge and Ding. The Chinese Emperors brought into existence special factories for the production of exquisite Chinese porcelain for their palaces. Furthermore all the dishes, vessels, tea pots and tea cups from this period of time are considered to be rarities and true works of art, especially the blue and white Chinese porcelain.

Even nowadays people say that the best recipe or combination of materials needed for making porcelain can only be found in one place on earth: the town of Yixing situated 120 km west from Shanghai in the Jiangsu Province.