Top Bone China Brands That Elevate Your Dining Experience

Bone china, renowned for its delicate translucency and strength, has been a hallmark of fine dining since its creation. Several illustrious brands have established themselves as leaders in crafting exquisite bone china, offering a blend of tradition, innovation, and quality. From timeless designs to modern interpretations, these brands continue to captivate collectors and enthusiasts alike. To discover which brands stand out in the world of bone china, and what sets them apart, continue reading below.

Illustration of bone china

Best brands of bone china in 2025

Royal Worcester

Royal Worcester, established in 1751, is one of the oldest and most renowned producers of bone china, celebrated for its high-quality tableware and giftware. The brand has preserved traditional skills while embracing innovation, evident in their introduction of ovenproof porcelain in 1931, which achieved significant success. Royal Worcester has crafted bespoke items for prestigious clients, including HM Queen Elizabeth II and luxury hotels like The Savoy. Despite encountering challenges, the brand has continued to innovate, with popular patterns like "Evesham Gold" launched in 1961. Although production in Worcester ceased in 2006, the brand remains an esteemed part of the Portmeirion Group since 2009.

Wedgwood

Wedgwood, founded by Josiah Wedgwood in 1759, is renowned for its high-quality bone china, a material it first produced in 1812 and later revived in 1878 to great success. The company's bone china is celebrated for its durability and aesthetic appeal, rivaling the quality of porcelain at a lower cost. By the late 19th century, bone china became a significant part of Wedgwood's production, with the company continuing to innovate and expand its product lines. Despite financial challenges, Wedgwood's commitment to quality and design has endured, with the brand being acquired by Fiskars in 2015 to ensure its continued production of prestige wares. Today, Wedgwood's bone china is still produced by skilled workers, maintaining the company's legacy in ceramic art. For a more detailed history, visit Wedgwood: An Introduction.

Royal Doulton

Royal Doulton is a renowned English company, celebrated for its nearly 200 years of heritage in producing high-quality bone china and ceramics. The company is a market leader, manufacturing around 40% of all English bone china and nearly half of the UK's ceramic sculptures. Royal Doulton's Hotel and Airline division is the world's largest supplier of bone china to international airlines, including British Airways and Emirates. The company's 'Old Country Roses' pattern by Royal Albert is the world's best-selling bone china tableware, with over 150 million pieces sold since its introduction in 1962. Royal Doulton operates in over 80 markets globally, with non-UK sales accounting for more than half of its total sales. For more insights about their success, you can visit their Superbrands case study.

Spode

Spode is renowned as one of the pioneering and premier producers of bone china, credited with perfecting the formula around 1799. The traditional bone china recipe developed by Spode consists of six parts bone ash, four parts china stone, and 3.5 parts kaolin, making it exceptionally white, translucent, and resonant. This formula has remained the industry standard and is still used today. Spode's bone china was initially about three times the price of earthenware and was designed to compete with high-quality porcelains like Sevres. The company's innovations, including underglaze transfer printing and the development of Felspar Porcelain, further solidified its reputation in the ceramics industry. For more information, visit the Spode Museum Trust's timeline.

Lenox

Lenox is renowned as the premier manufacturer of fine bone china in the United States, celebrating over 130 years of outstanding design and manufacturing. The company, acquired by Centre Lane Partners in 2020, has been a leader in the tableware industry, producing high-quality bone china that is stronger and more durable than other porcelain varieties. Lenox's bone china is made using a unique formula that includes calcined bone ash, a technique developed by Josiah Spode in the late 18th century. The company's Kinston plant, though closed in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, was capable of producing 15,000 to 20,000 pieces of china daily. Lenox's products are known for their delicate appearance, translucent quality, and microwave safety in some models. For a comprehensive overview of Lenox's exquisite dinnerware options, explore your ultimate dinnerware guide.

Villeroy & Boch

Villeroy & Boch is a renowned German manufacturer of ceramics, celebrated for its high-quality bone china and other ceramic products since its founding in 1748. The company operates in multiple divisions, including Dining & Lifestyle and Bathroom and Wellness, and has a global presence with a workforce of about 7,300 in 125 countries. Villeroy & Boch has received prestigious awards, such as the Red Dot Design Award, and achieved a significant turnover of 766 million euros in 2014. The company is known for its innovative designs, including the semi-transparent porcelain known as Phanolith, and has marked its 275th anniversary in 2023. Villeroy & Boch continues to be a leading premium supplier of bathroom products and tableware, with a strong market presence in Europe, Asia, and America. For more information about their ceramic innovations, visit their official website.

Herend

Herend Porcelain Manufactory, founded in 1826, is renowned as one of the best producers of luxury hand-painted and gilded porcelain, with a history spanning nearly two centuries. The company, now 75% owned by its management and workers, exports to over 60 countries and has won 24 grand and gold prizes in world exhibitions between 1851 and 1937. Herend porcelain is made from hard-paste porcelain using a mixture of kaolin, feldspar, and quartz, and each piece is manually crafted, reflecting exceptional quality and beauty. The manufactory has produced nearly 64 million hand-crafted porcelain pieces, featuring 16,000 unique shapes and 4,000 different painted patterns. Herend's products include tea sets, coffee sets, dinnerware, and ornamental items, all symbolizing elegance and centuries of culture.

Bernardaud

Bernardaud, a renowned producer of high-quality porcelain, has been a leader in the industry since its establishment in 1863 in Limoges, France. The company, now in its fifth generation of family ownership, manufactures approximately two million pieces of porcelain annually across its two factories. The porcelain paste is crafted from a precise recipe of 50% kaolin, 25% quartz, and 25% feldspar, undergoing a meticulous process including grinding, mixing, and firing at 2,552°F for 24 hours to achieve exceptional whiteness, translucency, and hardness. Bernardaud is known for its innovative techniques, such as isostatic pressing, and its collaboration with prominent artists. The company ensures the highest quality through rigorous quality control before shipment. To learn more about the manufacture of porcelain at Bernardaud, you can visit their detailed webpage.

Rosenthal

Rosenthal, a renowned brand in the porcelain industry, celebrates over 140 years of excellence in producing high-quality bone china. Founded in Germany, Rosenthal is distinguished for its exceptional design, functionality, and quality, with products crafted in state-of-the-art facilities in Selb and Speichersdorf. The company has significantly invested in modern production, including EUR 30 million in automatic facilities between 1998 and 2000, ensuring it remains competitive globally. Rosenthal's products are distributed in 105 countries, with key markets in Central Europe, North America, and Southeast Asia. The brand is part of the Arcturus Group, encompassing other prestigious brands like Rosenthal meets Versace, Hutschenreuther, and Sambonet. For more information, visit their official website.

Mikasa

Mikasa is renowned as a leader in tabletop fashion, particularly in bone china dinnerware, with a history spanning over half a century since its founding in 1948. The brand is known for its high-quality, chip-resistant bone china products, such as the Mikasa Alyssa 40-piece Bone China Dinnerware Set, which is both microwave and dishwasher safe. Mikasa's commitment to quality and design has made it a preferred choice for consumers, with products available in various patterns, shapes, and materials. The company's dedication to using advanced technology and working with the world's finest tabletop designers ensures that their products are both beautiful and well-made. Mikasa's bone china sets are part of a larger ceramics tableware market that is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.69% from 2024 to 2029 in the United States.