238 Porcelain and Earthenware. 



ropean travellers ; and in addition to vessels of the most delicate and 

 beautiful texture, which appeared to have been in use from time im- 

 memorial, they make mention of temples encrusted with tiles of va- 

 rious colors and curious workmanship ; but it was not until the con- 

 quest of China by Genghis Khan in 1212 that the art of glazing ear- 

 thenware was made known to the rest of Asia. The empire of 

 Genghis extended from China across the whole pastoral region of 

 Asia, to the Caucasus, and in their progress they held both hostile 

 and friendly intercourse with the Saracens. That splendid race were 

 at this time not only warlike, but inquisitive, active and ingenious; 

 and it appears probable that this art was transported by them from 

 the confines of China to Spain and northern Africa. Many rooms 

 in the Moorish palace of the Alhambra, are decorated with lacquered 

 tiles, and the cupola and minarets on the tomb of the Sultan Mahom- 

 ed, at Sultanyah, in Persia, built at the same period, are covered 

 with green lacquered tile, the great architrave being formed of blue 

 of corresponding quality. 



In 1270 Marco Polo, a Venetian, visited the court, and was for sev- 

 eral years in the service of Kublai Khan, the grand son of Ghenghis; 

 during which lime the merchants of Italy were travelling for com- 

 mercial purposes in most countries between Syria and India. Ear- 

 thenware covered with a vitreous glaze, was imported by them from 

 ' the east, and Florence became a celebrated mart for this ware, which 

 met a ready sale throughout Europe. The maritime laws of Bar- 

 celona, which bear date 1096, mention porcelain among imports 

 from Egypt; but it was far from being common, or even generally 

 known in Europe, in the 14th century. The sultan of Egypt, sent 

 large vases of porcelain to Lorenzo de Medici in 1487, of Egyptian 

 manufacture, and they are said to have derived their skill from the 

 Corinthians, who had obtained the art from the east. The Persians 

 also arrived at great perfection in the potter's art at a period of re- 

 mote antiquity ; and it is worthy of remark, that -porcelain is not 

 made in the Indies, but that all the countries of Asia, have been sup- 

 plied from China, Pegu, Japan, and Persia. 



Porcelain was not common in Europe before the first ages of the 

 Christian era. Rome was supplied from Samos. Vases and uten- 

 sils of oriental or Egyptian manufacture, have been disinterred from 

 Herculaneum and Pompeii ; also wine jars and drinking cups of 

 terra cotta, which is a fine reddish, unglazed ware. Statues of the 

 gods, were made in Rome of terra cotta, until the introduction of 

 marble statues from Greece by Lucullus and Pompey. 



