Some machinations to get porcelain (5)
I believe the answer is:
china
'porcelain' is the definition.
(china is a kind of porcelain)
'some machinations to' is the wordplay.
'some' says the answer is hidden in the clue (some of the parts of the word are used).
'CHINA' can be found hidden inside 'machinations to'.
'get' is the link.
(Other definitions for china that I've seen before include "Dishes, vases or ornaments" , "Far Eastern power" , "Ceramic; friend (colloq.)" , "Household tableware" , "Beijing's country" .)