China clay is a strong white clay. Cornish stone is added to lower the firing temperature of the clay.
Bone adds strength , reduces shrinkage and makes the body translucent.
The animal bone is calcined, that is burnt to make it brittle, and crushed to a fine powder. Gum Arabic is added to the body to make it more pliable and suitable for shaping paper thin petals. Olive oil is used on the hands and tools to prevent the clay from sticking, but speed of work is still essential to prevent the clay from drying. After the flower is made it is allowed to dry completely. However the flower is porous and would soon become soiled with handling.