238 CEKAMIC WARE. 



But our manufacturers could have made articles 

 equally large, were there a demand for them. In the depart- 

 ment of coloured ornamentation our manufacturers have made 

 immense strides since 1851. 



Two branches of the process of ceramic manufacture 

 have yet to be noticed in detail ; viz. painting (or enamell- 

 ing) and glazing. To make the nature of these branches more 

 comprehensible, let us just review the processes a piece of 

 china ware (say a dessert plate) has to undergo. First, the 

 raw staple clay, let us call it has to be fashioned into shape. 

 If the desired shape be such as can be developed by rotatory 

 motion, the fashioning is accomplished by a wheel. Fancy a 

 small round table on a pivot, which being caused to rotate 

 by a band, the table turns with great velocity much faster, 

 indeed, than a spirit has ever been known to turn one. Upon 

 such a revolving round table, the potter, having deposited 

 his lump of clay, begins to model it with the fingers until 

 the intended shape is given. As for handles and other little 

 appurtenances, they are stuck on with a mixture of clay and 

 water, technically called ( slip.' This being done, the piece 

 is set aside to dry. If the desired shape be such as is not 

 within the competence 01 turning to produce, moulds have 

 to be employed. So far as my own individual opinion goes, 

 if moulding were altogether abolished and turning universally 

 had recourse to, by so much more beautiful would be the 

 resulting forms. 



The piece made absolutely dry is now subjected to furnace 

 heat, the effect of which is to reduce the material to a con- 

 dition of incipient fusion ; whereas the elements of the pottery 

 material were, previous to burning, mechanically mixed, they 

 become, after burning, chemically combined. The piece of 

 crockery rings bell-like when struck, begetting the notion of 

 increased strength, due to intimate union. Arrived at this 

 stage, the piece is called 'biscuit, or biscuit-ware/ the con- 

 dition adapted for glazing. 



