Page 348 - Oriental Series Japan and China, Brinkly

CHINA

a mystery. Undoubtedly the production of a fine

red was always regarded as a keramic tour de force in

China. In the Tao-lu it is stated that few potters

were capable of producing the Chi-hung vases, and

that their manufacture was only attempted by artists

who imitated the choice old Kuan-yao (celadon}
that is to say, by specialists. The eminent chemist

M. Salvetat, referring to the Tao-lu s statement, says :
" This is confirmed by what we know of the diffi-

culties experienced in maintaining oxide of copper

(in the form of silicate of protoxide) at a high tem-

perature in the presence of an abundance of atmo-

spheric air." Indeed, it is probable that the best

Chinese experts could never cope absolutely with

these difficulties, and that infinitesimal variations in

the condition of the kiln made themselves apparent

in the tone of the glaze. When M. d'Entrecolles

investigated the subject of porcelain making at

Ching-te-chen, he took pains to acquaint himself

with the methods pursued by the manufacturers of

Chi-hung monochromes. How far he succeeded will

be apparent from his account of the matter : " Red

oxide of copper and the powder of a certain reddish
Astone were mixed.
Chinese doctor tells me that

the stone is a species of alum which is used for
medicinal purposes. These are ground in a mortar,
the urine of a youth and petrosilex being added to
them at the same time. I have not been able to

discover the quantity of these ingredients, those who
have the secret being careful not to divulge it. The

compound is applied to the paste before stoving ; no

other glazing matter is employed. I am assured that

when this colour is to be given to porcelain no petun-

tse is used in forming the pate, but in its place there

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