Where does porcelein get its name from?

Porcelain gets its name from the Italian Word "porcellana," which refers to a type of seashell that resembles the smooth, shiny surface of porcelain. The term was first used in the late 16th century when European traders encountered Chinese porcelain. The delicate and elegant characteristics of both the shell and the ceramic led to the adoption of this name for the fine, high-fired pottery.