The Raymer enterprise., 1921-04-21
WHERE CHINAWARE
COMES FROM

CHING teh-chen, possibly q stranger
city to the average American, needs
only this Introduction: 1T IL the
home of chinawure."
II Is the subject Of the following
communication to the National Geo
graphic society from Frank Is. Lenz:
'"rhe greatest industrial city Of
China Is not one Of the treaty ports,
where the direct influence Of western
progress Is constantly felt, but bus.
tllng Interior city Of Klangsi province
Ching -ieh-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 giy-
en- over to q single industry as this
one.
"Chinaware! What does the word
connote7 1t is simply ware made
Of clay and named for the country
that first produced II. Whether It be
q green tile from a temple roof, DISH.
Z vase. or q painted ornament from
q wealthy Celestials home, 1t all has
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 clties)
Of China. Technically, 1t Is town,
because 1t has no wall. In reality It
Is busy industrial city Of 100000
people, two-thirds Of whom are en-
gagged In the manufacture and sale Of
porcelain. Economically, It is a city
to stir mems souls. Longfellow. In
bis 'Keramos,' speaks Of It.
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 q dozen kinds of excellent
clay are found In the neighborhood
Of the lake.
After the clays are thoroughly
cleansed. sifted, and refined they are
kneaded together In varying proper
tions, usually BY a bare-footed boy,
until they are ready for the potter.
The wet lump Of clay 10 then placed
on the kneb Of the potters wheel.
"The potter's wheel, which was In
vented by the Chinese, Is Q huge cir
cular machine, about four feet In di.
ameter, made Of heavy timbers to lend
II momentum. 1t rests on perpen-
dicular axis 10 slight depression.
Or pit. into which water and debris
rapidly drain.
"The potter ID perchsd above the
wheel, with one foot on either side,
In order to allow SUFFICIENT space for
the movement Of bis hands. After
revolving the wheel swiftly with q
short pole. be defty and with me
chanical precision fashions q. plate,
bowl, or vase. After years Of prac-
tice be can estimate to within hairs
breadth the proper size.
"Ths piece 10 then removed and
placed on long tray In front Of
the potter where It awaits the next
artisan. Handles and other decor
ations, made In molds, are added, and
then the whole 10 scraped smooth and
allowed to dry until It 10 ready for
the next pr0csss-the under-glaze dec
grafton.
Several basic colors, like blue and
red, can be painted on under the glaze.
The glaze 10 next applied In various
way-by dipping by blowing on with
q tube. or by sprinkling. After the
mark has been added the piece is
ready fer the furnace"
-&-
THE ROMANCE OF HELIUM
.-~..,. - Tyrt<nd Ctato- h.llnov