Hermanner Volksblatt. [volume] (Hermann, Mo.) 1875-1928, 1921-06-24
WHERE CHINAWARE
COMES FROM

CnlnS-ten-Cnen, possibly q strange
city to the average American, needs
only this introduction: ut Is the
home of chinaware."
1t is the subject of the following
communication to the National Geo
graphic society from Frank B. Lenz:
"The greatest industrial city OF
China Is not one of the treaty ports,
where the direct influence Of western
progress is constantly felt, but a bus
Ting 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 industry of the world.
'There are few cities in America
or Europe that are so completely CIV
en- 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, q dish,
~ NuoCt Va a puluLCu OlhdLAChb LAVN
q wealthy Celestial's home, it all has
O traceable connection with Ching-teh-
chen. With the Chinese, Ching-teh.
chen and porcelain are synonymous.
"Ching-teh-chen ('TOwn Of Scenic
Virtue') is one of the four largest
towns (as distinguished from cities)
of China. Technically, 1t is a town,
because 1t has no wall. In reality 1t
is a busy industrial city of 100000
people, two-thirds of whom are en-
gagged In the manufacture and sale Of
porcelain. Economically, 1t is q city
to stir mems souls. Longfellow, In
his Keramos,' speaks of it.
1.-The geographical location of
Ching-teh-chen is not accidental. 1t
became the pottery center of the coun-
try centuries ago because Of the enor-
nous quantities of excellent clay In
the district around Pc Yang Lake.
More than a dozen kinds of excellent
clay are found in the neighborhood
Of the lake.
after the clays are thoroughly
cleansed, Sifted, and refined they IRE
kneaded together In varying proper
lions, usually by a b~are-footed boy,
until they are ready for the potter.
The wet lump of clay is then placed
on the knob of the potter's wheel.
1.-THE potter's wheel, which was in
vented by the Chinese, is a huge cir
Cular machine, about four feet in d.
ameter, made of heavy timbers to lend
1t momentum. 1t rests on a perpen-
dicular axis in a slight depression,
or pit, into which water and debris
rapidly drain.
1.-THE potter is perched above the
wheel, with one foot on either side,
the movement of his hands. After
revolving the wheel swiftly with a
short pole, he deftly and with me-
chanical precision fashions n plate,
bowl, or vase. After years of prac-
tice 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 potter where it awaits the next
artisan. Handles and other decor
atoms, made in molds, are added, and
then the whole is scraped smooth and
allowed to dry until 1t is ready for
the next process-the under-glaze dec
Grafton.
Several basic colors, 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 the
mark has been added the piece lie
ready for the furnace"