Handmade porcelain is meant to be lived with. A bowl gains meaning when it becomes part of breakfast; a tea cup remembers the hands that reach for it. Using a beautiful object is not the opposite of caring for it. The two belong together.

Start with the care note for the individual piece. A plain glazed bowl intended for the table can tolerate a different routine from gilding, overglaze enamels, a deliberately crackled surface or a decorative vessel. When in doubt, choose the gentler treatment.

Wash slowly

For pieces marked for table use, hand-wash in lukewarm water with a soft cloth. Use only a small amount of mild detergent if the product care note allows it, and rinse well. Avoid abrasive pads and long soaking, especially where decoration sits above the glaze. Dishwashers combine heat, strong detergents and movement; hand-painted and crackled pieces are safer outside them.

Avoid sudden changes in temperature

Porcelain is hard but brittle. A rapid change from cold to hot — or hot to cold — creates stress as the material expands or contracts. Do not move a piece directly from the refrigerator into an oven, place a hot bowl on a cold stone surface or pour boiling water into a cup that is still cold. Let the object come closer to room temperature first.

Use two hands

Handles, spouts, knobs and applied decoration are more vulnerable than the body of a vessel. Lift a piece with one hand supporting its weight and the other steadying it. Remove loose lids before moving jars or teapots, and never carry a valuable object only by its handle.

Stack with a soft barrier

If plates or bowls must be stacked, place a thin layer of acid-free tissue, felt or soft non-fibrous material between them. Keep stacks low and stable. The aim is not only to prevent chips, but also to stop a foot ring from abrading the glazed surface below it.

Understand crackle and patina

Some glazes are intentionally crackled; others are not. On a deliberately crackled celadon, the fine network beneath the surface may become more visible with use. Keep the piece clean and dry it fully rather than trying to bleach or aggressively scrub the lines. Product-specific guidance should decide whether a crackled piece is suitable for food or liquids.

Treat damage as a reason to pause

If a rim chips or a crack appears, stop using the piece for food or drink until it has been assessed. Do not sand a chip or use a general-purpose repair kit: an unsuitable repair can make later conservation more difficult. A ceramics conservator can advise whether the object should be stabilised, restored or simply kept as it is. Kintsugi can be a meaningful form of repair, but it is a skilled treatment, not a quick household fix.

Care should not turn ownership into anxiety. Hold porcelain attentively, wash it gently and give it a secure place to rest. Those small habits allow a handmade object to gather the marks of a life without losing the qualities that made you choose it.