Chap. V. GOLD-STONE — llED LACQUER. 



89 



made into snuff-bottles, siicli as are commonly used 

 by the Chinese. 



Amongst other stones and minerals which are 

 found amongst the Chinese are lapis-lazuli; mala- 

 chites, magnetic iron, and numerous other samples 

 of the rarer productions of the country. But the 

 most curious and most expensive of all is what is 

 called gold-stone. This is an article of great 

 beauty, and very different from the imitation kinds 

 which are made in France, and largely exported 

 to India. Samples of the imitation frequently find 

 their way to Canton, but are little valued by the 

 natives. Most of the Chinese, learned in such 

 matters, with whom I came in contact, affirmed the 

 true gold-stone to be a natural production, and 

 said it came from the islands of Japan. It is very 

 rare in China ; I have not met with it in India ; 

 and whether it be a natural production or a work 

 of art, it is certainly extremely beautiful. My 

 friend Mr. Beale, of Shanghae, who has some fine 

 specimens, presented one to me for the purpose of 

 having it examined in London, but I have not yet 

 had time. 



Specimens of red lacquer, deeply carved with 

 figures of birds, flowers, &c., and generally made 

 in the form of trays, boxes, and sometimes vases, 

 are met with in the more northern Chinese towns, 

 and are much and justly prized. What is called 

 "old gold japan" lacquer is also esteemed by 

 Chinese connoisseurs, and the specimens of this are 

 comparatively rare in the country at the present day. 



