Prev | Current Page 202 | Next

Bassett, Sara Ware, 1872-1968

"The Story of Porcelain"

Marwood. "Often, too, a
piece with many colors and much gold work on it has to be fired
several times, and is therefore in jeopardy more than once. In
addition to these risks you must remember the number of hands through
which an article passes from the time of its moulding to its final
arrival from the glost-kiln. A delicate piece of ware is in peril
every second. It may be dropped and broken; chipped in handling; its
clay body may crack when exposed to the heat; the colors in the
decoration may fire out unsatisfactorily; or at the very end there may
be a defect in the glaze."
"Great Scott!" gasped Theo. "Why, I never should expect to get a
single perfect piece of porcelain."
"On the contrary, we get a great many," smiled Mr. Marwood. "They are
almost all perfect. The imperfect piece is the exception. But each
piece represents untold care. We sometimes laugh at the old adage of a
bull in the china-shop, but let me assure you that a poor workman can
do almost as much damage in a porcelain factory."
Mr. Marwood drew out his watch.
"I believe we shall now have just about time before luncheon to go
down to the kilns," he observed presently.


Pages:
190 191 192 193 194 195 196 197 198 199 200 201 202 203 204 205 206 207 208 209 210 211 212 213 214