Mid 19th century; earliest use found in William Chaffers (1811–1892), authority on hallmarks and potters' marks. From French pâte dure (not dated in dictionaries of French) from pâte + dure hard.
Definition of pâte dure in US English:
pâte dure
(also pate dure)
noun
Ceramics
Hard clay; the porcelain made from this.
Origin
Mid 19th century; earliest use found in William Chaffers (1811–1892), authority on hallmarks and potters' marks. From French pâte dure (not dated in dictionaries of French) from pâte + dure hard.