Bone China and the Beauty of Simplicity

At first glance, our Turned Clock is minimal and quietly elegant. But behind its crisp silhouette lies a centuries-old material that’s anything but ordinary: bone china.

The Material

Developed in England in the 18th century to rival the beauty and strength of imported Chinese porcelain, it quickly became a hallmark of fine British ceramics.  Bone china is known for its brilliant whiteness, delicate translucency, and surprising strength. It’s made using a refined blend of bone ash, kaolin and feldspar — a formula perfected over time for both durability and beauty.

Although it looks delicate, bone china is stronger and more resilient than traditional porcelain. Its surface is smooth and cool to the touch — qualities that make it feel as good as it looks.

The Making Process

Each Turned Clock is created by slipcasting — a traditional method where liquid clay is poured into plaster moulds to form the body by allowing it to set just enough to form a shell, then draining the excess. The result is a precise, hollow form with crisp detail — ideal for bringing out the soft, sculptural curves of the clock. This method allows for precision and consistency, while still being a handmade process with visible care in the finish.

It’s a patient, hands-on process, done in a small family-run pottery in Stoke-on-Trent, a region with a long and respected history in ceramics.  Every piece is hand-finished with care — fettled, sponged, and dip-glazed — before being fired to reveal its characteristic clarity. The result is a piece that is both refined and deeply rooted in craft. 

A Modern Classic

The Turned Clock is cast as a single form, with a recessed face and a concealed back. It’s available with either black or gold hands, and houses a reliable German-made mechanism. The overall design is streamlined, understated, and timeless — equally at home on a desk, mantel or shelf.

Our Turned Clock has found its way into homes around the world — and onto the shelves of museum stores like MoMA, where design and utility meet. Yet no matter where it ends up, each clock still begins in the hands of makers using techniques honed over centuries.

Why Bone China Still Matters

In a world of fast production and disposable design, bone china is a reminder that some materials — and some ways of making — are worth preserving. It invites us to slow down, to choose objects with care, and to value beauty that’s built to last.

So when you glance at your clock to check the time, you’re not just looking at a product. You’re holding a story — poured, cast, and finished in the heart of English craft.