WOMAN'S HOME 162 THE ROMANCE OF OLD CHIMA By Mrs. WILLOUGHBY HODGSON Contiiiiiedfro77i page g, Pa7-t j. Author of " Now to Identify Old China," and " How to Identify Old Chinese Porcelain^ OLD CHEL5EA CHINA The Beginning and Development of the China Industry at Chelsea— Characteristics of Chelsea China — Marks — How to See if the Work is Genuine T^HE previous article pointed out the con- nection between the great porcelain industry in China and the beginnings of the same industry in Europe. It dealt with the tragedy of the potter groping in the dark to elucidate the mystery of paste and glaze. It was also an endeavour to assist the would-be collector by explaining the differ- ence between pottery and porcelain. Towards the middle of the eighteenth century porcelain was first made in England. It was not the hard paste, or true porcelain, such as was manufactured in China, but a soft paste, translucent and beautiful to the eye and touch, but very difficult to work upon, and easily drawn out of shape in firing. Such was the porcelain made at Chelsea. The terms " hard paste " and " soft paste " are apt to puzzle a beginner, and it is only by learning the difference in the composi- tion of the two " bodies " that she can distinguish between them. Soft-paste porce- lain was composed of a large propor- tion of glassy grit and sand, and a small quantity of white clay and bone-ash. The glaze employed with it was very ' fusible and glassy, being made from red lead, nitre, and sand. A future article will deal with the ingredients of " hard paste." For the present it must suffice that Chinese porcelain is hard. Upon it a file will make no impres- sion,but the Chelsea body it will powder. Two fine Chelsea figures of the best period If the bottom of a Chelsea figure be examined, three or four whitish-brown marks will be observed. These were caused by the struts upon which it rested in the kiln, and are called " thumb-marks." Portions of the base are generally unglazed, and if the eyes are shut and the fingers passed over the unglazed Surface it will be found to be soft and smooth. Dishes, plates, cups and saucers do not generally bear the thumb- marks, but three little wart-like blisters take their place. These were caused by the tripod in the kiln. The glaze of Chelsea porcelain is very glassy, and is of a pale green colour. It will be found in tears and thickly accumulated under the base. It is not at all unusual to find a lump of glaze standing out upon the surface of a plate or dish, over which a leaf, flower, or insect has been cunningly painted to hide the defect. The date of the establishment of the Chelsea factory is not known, but the existence of a small milk- jug dated " Chelsea 1745 " proves that at this time porce- lain of superior quality was being made there. A characteristic of the first period was the absence of gold in the decora- tion both upon figures in the drapery and the rims of dishes, plates, cups, and saucers. These were generally edged with a line of dark red or choc- olate colour.
