Page 330 - Oriental Series Japan and China, Brinkly

CHINA

to vases in which the effect of transmitted light would
be lost. In a second and not so choice type of in-

cised decoration the design is engraved as though

with the point of a fine style. The surface of speci-
mens of this class does not show such velvet-like

smoothness and lustre as distinguish the glaze of the
fomer variety, but, on the other hand, the decoration

is more elaborate : it generally covers the whole sur-

face, floral scrolls being a favourite subject. Large
specimens are to be found in this class, graceful vases

and capacious ewers. The thinner and lighter the

biscuit, the choicer the piece. It is evident that

more translucid and less unctuous glazes are especially
adapted to these large pieces, but the amateur may take

it as a rule, that, in all such wares smoothness, polish,
and purity of surface are essential marks of excellence.

A watery glaze tinged with blue or green, uneven-

ness of surface, grits in the pate, and thick biscuit
represent inferior workmanship and a degenerate era.

As to decoration in relief a distinction should be

noted between soft-paste and hard-paste porcelain,
namely, that in the former the designs often have
clean-cut edges and angles, like chiselled metal,
whereas in the latter everything is round and soft.

Not the least pleasing type of hard-paste porcelain

thus decorated has the designs formed either with
the same clay of which the biscuit is made, or traced
in a whiter substance steatite or fibrous gypsum.

When either of the latter materials is used, the deco-

ration shows through the glaze like a tracery of
white lace, while the glaze itself, in choice speci-
mens, is of velvet-like smoothness and lustre. Deco-

ration in relief where the porcelain pate itself is used
to trace the design usually covers the whole surface

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