The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, 1921-01-13
The WHERE AND HOW
OF OUR "CHINA" WARE

Ching-teh-chen, possibly a stranger
city to the average American, need:
only this introduction: at is the
home of chinaware." One of a ser
les of bulletins of the National Geo.
graphic Society upon where Oul
Imports Come From quotes from g
communication to the Society by
Frank B. LEM, as follows:
"The greatest industrial city OF
China is not one Of the treaty ports.
where the direct influence of West
ern progress is constantly felt, but
a busting interior city of Kiangsi
Province-Ching-teh-chen. This is
the famous porcelain and pottery
center Of the nation-indeed, it is
the original home of the porcelain in
dustry of the world. There are few
cities in America or Europe that are
so completely given over to a single
industry as this one.
"Chinaware. What does the word
connote? 1t is simply a ware made
of clay and named for the country
that first produced it. Whether it be
a green tile from a temple roof, a
dish, a vase, or a painted ornament
from a wealthy Celestial's home, it
all has a traceable connection with
Ching-teh-chen. With the Chinese,
Ching-teh-chen and porcelain are sy-
nonymous.
"Ching-teh-chen (Town of Scenic
Virtue) is one of the four largest
towns of China. Technically, it is a
town, because it has no wall. In real
ity it is a busy industrial city of 300,-
600 people, two-thirds of whom are
engaged in the manufacture and sale
of porcelain. Economically, it is a
city to stir mems souls. Longfellow
in his 'Keramos," speaks of it.
"The geographical location of
Ching-teh-chen is not accidental. 1t
became the pottery center of the
country centuries ago because OF the
enormous quantities of excellent clay
in the district around Pc Yang Lake.
More than a dozen kinds of excel
lent clay are found in the neighbor-
hood of the lake.
1.-TWO very descriptive words are
used by the Chinese in referring to
the composition of porcelain-'c'hi
ku', OF porcelain bone, and chi ro,'
or porcelain flesh. The former gives
strength and brittleness to a vase OF
bowl, while the latter adds re%siliency
and toughness. Unless these clays
are mixed in the right proportions,
the vessels will either sag Or crack
when placed in the furnace.
Technically, the bone clay IS
kaolin, or China clay. 1t is an in
fusible substance derived from de-
composed feldspar or granite. The
flesh clay is a white, fusible ma
terial formed from a mixture of field
spar and quartz.
"All these clays are hauled to
Ching-teh-chen in the form of soft
white bricks by small, fat-bottomed
boats. Thousands of Chinese boat
men are engaged in this work.
after the clays are thoroughly
cleaned, sifted, and refined they are
kneaded together in varying proper
tons, usually by a barefooted boy,
until they are ready for the potter.
The wet lump of clay is then placed
on the knob of the potter's wheel.
The potter's wheel, which was in
vented by the Chinese, is a huge cir
cular machine, about four feet in
diameter, made of heavy timbers to
lend it momentum. 1t rests IN a
perpendicular axis in a slight depres-
sion, or pit, into which water or de-
bris rapidly drain.
"The potter is perched above the
wheel, with one foot on either side,
in order to allow sufficient space for
the movement Of his hands. After
revolving the wheel swiftly with a
short pole, he deity and with me-
chanical precision fashions a plate,
bowl or vase. After years of practice
he can estimate to within a hairs
breadth the proper size. The piece is
then removed and placed on a long
tray in front of the next artisan.
Handles and decorations are added,
and then the whole is scraped smooth
and dried until ready for the under
glaze decoration. Several basic col
ors, like blue and red, can be painted
on under the glaze. The glaze is next
applied in various ways-by dipping,
by blowing on with a tube, or by
sprinkling. After marks have been
added the piece is ready for the fur
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