1888.] on Some Developments of English Pottery. 215 



into the kiln when at full white heat. The decomposed fames of soda 

 combine with the minute particles of silica in the surface of the ware, 

 and form a thin glassy coating of intense hardness. Experience soon 

 showed the discoverers that the full qualities of the glazing by this 

 method could not be reached except as the ware approached the vitri- 

 fying point, so that those means adopted to give brilliancy to the 

 glaze also of necessity produced excellence of body and strength and 

 durability. 



Though talented decorators were certainly employed on Delft 

 ware in Lambeth at the early part of the present century, no attempt 

 was made to apply this talent and experience to the embellishment of 

 the salt-glazed ware, which was allowed to sink into a manufacture 

 devoid of all pretence to beauty. Such was the condition of the 

 stoneware manufacture at this time, and such it continued until 1867, 

 when the first efforts were made at Lambeth. 



It is somewhat remarkable that the latest introduction of the last 

 half century should consist of an art-ware which, instead of gathering 

 up all the resources and experience of the past, sprang, as it were, 

 from an altogether independent stock, and though in some respects 

 apparently a revival of old traditions, and rising up from the selfsame 

 spot as the Delft potteries, the Doulton stoneware received no inspira- 

 tion from its predecessors. It has been successful in starting out a 

 path for itself both original and progressive. 



In 1868 the idea was conceived of attempting to raise salt-glazed 

 stoneware into an art material. The 'first attempts at decoration were 

 confined to form and relief with simple coloured bands and runners. 

 To this, " sgraffito " or incised outline filled in with blue, was soon 

 added. A small collection of vases and jugs was exhibited at the 

 International Exhibition of Paris, 1867, and from this time till 1871 

 no further progress was made. Early in 1871 it was determined to 

 make every effort at Lambeth Pottery to originate examples of 

 decorated stoneware. The result distinctly aimed at was successfully 

 attained, and the greater portion were eagerly purchased for the 

 museums throughout Europe. It is satisfactory to know that the 

 strenuous efforts made during the last fifteen years to maintain 

 the unique and original characteristics of the ware have been appre- 

 ciated. 



The later months of 1873 also brought about the introduction of 

 an entirely new branch of works, viz. Lambeth Faience, a ware 

 painted under the glaze on a soft biscuit of warm tone and glazed 

 with a lead glaze. 



Each International Exhibition called forth renewed effort, and 

 that of Paris in 1878 was still more varied and important. In the 

 following year another new ware was introduced called " Impasto," 

 the decoration being executed on the soft clay by means of coloured 

 slips. In the year 1880 the so-called " Silicon " ware was introduced. 

 It consists of a vitrified stoneware impregnated with metallic oxides 

 throughout its mass and coated with a " smear " or semi-glaze. 



