The Mellette County pioneer. [volume] (Wood, Mellette County, S.D.) 19??-1971, 1922-03-31
Chinese Potter at His Wheel.

at His Wheel.
and 200 big yellow chlmneys in the
city. 1t is said that Ching-teh-chen
in her most flOurishing days boosted
several thousand kilns.
Most Conservative Of Cities.
The most unusual feature of the
city of Porcelain is its conservatism.
Blu 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 a
quarter Of a million inhabitants. The
reason given for this u~nprOgresSive
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-chen 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 IN 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 W the
district around Pc Yang lake. All Of
these clays are brought to Ching-teh-
chen in the form of soft, white bricks
By small, hat-hottomed boats, ThOn-
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
lions, usually by a barefooted boy, I'M
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 deity and with mechanical
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
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
next process-the under-glaze decor
alton.
Several basic colors, like blue and
red, can be painted on under the glaze.
The glaze is mex 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 i'm 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 1t is set
into the sagger, is placed on a small,
round, clay chip, sprlnkled with straw
ashes. This prevents the fusing to-
gether OF the two pieces.
The fuel for the furnaces az Ching
teh-chen is of two k~inds-straw and
wood. Coal has been tried, but 1T was
found that it's fumes discolored the
porcelain, and accordingly Its 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
point. Because OF the intense heat
both the kilns and the chimneys must
be rebuilt annually.
There is no unemployment In
Ching-teh-chen. Work is plentiful, but
Industrial conditions are bad. Long
hours, poor food, no rest days, and un'
sanltary living conditions cause a great
deal OF dissatisfaction among the la
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
woak too long. IL a man In found do
Ing too much and working beyond
the time limit, he Is set upon by his
fellow workers and severely beaten