418 A TOPOGRAPHICAL 



this porcelain became transparent, and were therefore of less value 

 than the ware intended to be produced, on account of their being 

 less able when used to resist fire or hot water. This was called 

 WHITE WARE, or WHITE STONE WARE. 



At this period commenced what may be termed an era in the 

 history of the Potteries, though at the time it was unperceived, on 

 account of the gradual progress of the manufacture to its then im- 

 proved state. The articles manufactured from the above materials 

 were very durable, and of neat clear white appearance; and they 

 soon found their way to distant parts of England, and were sub- 

 sequently exported in considerable quantities to Holland, Germany, 

 Prussia, and other parts of the Continent of Europe. These articles 

 consisted at first of circular pieces, or of such only as were produced 

 from the thrower's wheel, and finished on the lathe ; for it does not 

 appear that plaster moulds had yet been used. The only kind of 

 moulds then known seem to have been made of brass, or a kind of 

 clay known among potters by the name of Tough Tom, many of 

 which latter have lately been met with in digging up the old shord- 

 rucks,* found in foundations for new buildings in Burslem. 



About this time, Ralph Daniel, a potter, of Cobridge, during his 

 travels through France, visited a manufactory where plaster moulds 

 were used, one of which he brought away with him (a table plate), 

 the pattern of which, together with several others, were immedi- 

 ately imitated, by Aaron Wood, whose business it was to make 

 models for the potters. The gypsum mines of Derbyshire furnish- 

 ing the material in great abundance, complete table services of dif- 

 ferent fanciful patterns (barley-corn, mosaic, basket-work, &c.) 

 were manufactured. This important acquisition was soon followed 

 by the introduction of a variety of curiously-carved tea and coffee 

 services, &c. Plaster moulds now began to be brought into general 

 use, both on account of the extraordinary absorbent quality of the 

 plaster, when burnt, and its adaptation to the method then practised 

 for making the hollow articles, such as carved tea-pots, coffee-pots, 

 &c. The manner in which casts were taken from the moulds, was 

 by pouring a very thin slip into the plaster mould, and letting it 

 stand a short time before it was poured out, by which a perfect im- 

 pression was received by the coat of thin slip or clay, which closely 

 adhered to the mould. Then another and thicker coat was added, 

 which, after remaining a few minutes in the mould, was returned, and 

 this second casting more than doubled the thickness of the first 

 * Rubbish from pot-works. 



