The Colorado statesman., 1922-03-25
Chinese Potter at His Wheel.

a. tlio WhCSi.
and 200 big yellow chimneys in the
city. 1t is said that Ching teh-chen
in her most fiourishing days boasted
several thousand kilns.
Most Conservative OF citiee-
The most unusual feature of the
city of Porcelain is it's conservatism.
"Bu k'ait'ung" (not open to commu-
nications) is heard on every hand.
Although China is the home of the
printing press, there Is not a single
newspaper, either daily or weekly,
published in this city of more than
quarter of a million inhabitants. The
reason given for this unprogressive
state of affairs is that the magis-
trates have always opposed the
press, on the one hand because they
are afraid of its political influence,
and on the other because of the finan-
cial support that would be involved.
Ching-teh-c is devoid Of electric
lights and telephones. The few rick
shaws which now facilitate communi-
cations are fighting for existence. A
number of workingmen's guilds have
petitioned the chamber of commerce
to abolish the rickshaws on the ground
that they interfere with traffic.
The geographical location of Ching
teh-chen is not accidental. 1t became
| the pottery center of the country CEN
turtles ago because Of the enormous
quantities of excellent clays in the
district around Po Yang lake. All Of
these clays are brought to Ching-teh-
chen in the form of soft, white bricks
| by small, flat-bottomed boats. Thou
sands of Chinese boatmen are engaged
| in this work.
After the clays are thoroughly
cleansed, sifted, and refined they are
kneaded together in varying proper
tions, usually by barefooted boy, un-
til they are ready for the potter. The
wet lump Of clay Is then placed on
the knob of the potter's wheel.
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 re-
volving the wheel swiftly with a short
pole, he deftly and with mechanical
precision fashions plate, bowl, or
vase. After years of practice he can
estimate to within 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 ar
tisan. Handles and other decorations,
made in molds, are added, and then
the whole is scraped smooth and al
lowed to dry until it Is ready for the
| q 1,ndnr-p1nzn dpoOr-
alton.
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 is
ready for the furnace.
Firing the Porcelain.
Porcelain placed in the kiln to be
fred has to be protected in strong,
| cylindrical clay vessels called saggers.
These trays can be used from three
to six times before they are ready for
the scrap heap on the river bank.
Every piece of porcelain, as it is set
into the sagger, is placed on a small,
round, clay chip, sprinkled with straw
| ashes. This prevents the fusing to-
gether of the two pieces.
The fuel for the furnaces at Ching
| teh-chen is of two kinds-straw and
wood Coal has been tried, but 1t was
found that its fumes discolored the
porcelain, and accordingly it's use was
discontinued. Straw is used to burn
only the coarser ware.
The kilns are large, egg-shaped
ovens Of brownish brick, fifty feet long
and twelve feet high at the highest
poir' Because of the intense heat,
bot the kilns and the chimneys must
be rebuilt annually.
There is no unemployment In
Ching g-teh-chen. Work Is plentiful, but
Industrial conditions are bad. Long
hours, poor food, no rest days, and un-
sanitary living conditions cause great
deal Of dissatisfaction among the Ia
borers.
Wages range from ten cents to one
dollar per day, varying not according
to the number of hours, but according
to the number and quality of the
pieces produced. But no artisan must
work too long. If a man is found do
ing too much and working beyond
the time limit, he Is set upon by his
foIyo,,, ,yorlyorc apd seyerely bpaten