THE POTTER S ART. 



sieve which is used to strain off any solid impurities which may be 

 seen floating in the glaze ; p is the spatula used from time to time 

 to agitate the glaze so as to prevent the pulverulent matter sus- 

 pended in it from subsiding, and to maintain it of an uniform 

 consistency. A bottle, 6, contains vinegar, which is mixed in a 

 certain proportion with the glaze ; a small cup, c, containing liquid 

 glaze is placed near the female D, who dipping a brush in it 

 retouches all parts of the article on which the glaze is too thin or 

 altogether wanting. 



6. When the wares have been prepared for the final process of 

 baking, which is called technically bisque firing, they are carried on 

 boards as represented in fig. 43, to the " green-house," so called from 

 its being the receptacle for ware in the " green " or unfired state. It 

 is here gradually dried for the ovens : when ready, it is carried to 

 the " sagger-house," in immediate connexion with the oven in 

 which it is to be fired, and here it is placed in the " saggers : " 

 these are boxes made of a peculiar kind of clay (a native 

 marl), previously fired, and infusible at the heat required for 

 the ware, and of form suited to the articles they are to con- 

 tain. A little dry pounded flint is scattered between them, 

 to prevent adhesion. The purpose of the sagger is to pro- 

 tect the ware from the flames and smoke, and also for its 

 security from breakage, as in the clay state it is exceedingly 



brittle, and when dry, or what 

 is called "white," requires great 

 care in the handling. A plate 

 sagger will hold twenty plates, 

 placed one on the other, of earthen 

 ware ; but china plates are fired 

 separately in " setters" made of 

 their respective forms. The " set- 

 ters " for china plates and dishes 

 answer the same purpose as the 

 "saggers," and are made of the 

 same clay. They take in one dish or 

 plate each, and are "reared" iithe 

 oven in " bungs " one on the other. 



In fig. 38 is represented a pile of saggers containing plates. It 

 will be perceived that in this case each sagger consists of two 

 parts, one, 1 1, cylindrical, and the other, i i, having a form corre- 

 sponding to that of the plate, the rim, at the bottom of which rests 

 upon it. These saggers are placed one over the other, so as to 

 form a vertical pile. , 



It will be evident, from what has been here explained, that 

 the magnitude, form, and internal structure of the saggers 

 186 



Fig. 38. 



