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 knowr 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 time 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. 
