It may be remarked here that a great difference existed between the methods of the Chinese and the Japanese potters of past times. The former did not stove their porcelain until after they had applied both the decoration in blue and the glaze. Thus, as the "History of Chinese Keramics" shows, the utmost care was necessary in handling a piece before putting it into the oven: any undue pressure spoiled its shape. Moreover, the Chinese plan not only required specially educated skill on the part of the workman, but also deprived him of the assistance which he might have derived from the natural absorbent properties of a porcelain pâte rendered porous by firing.
The analyses which have hitherto been published furnish data for a tolerably accurate comparison of the porcelains of Japan, China, and Europe. Ebelman and Salvetat, in their well-known treatise on chemistry and physics, arrive at the conclusion that no material technological difference exists between the porcelains of China and those of Europe. Later writers regard this verdict as somewhat premature. The most recent researches upon this subject are embodied in the following table:—
The figures for Japanese Arita porcelain are the average of thirteen analyses of porcelain masses recently made by M. Korschelt. The composition given for Chinese porcelain is that determined by M. Pabot. It agrees very closely with the researches of MM. Salvetat and Ebelman, as interpreted by Liebig and Kopp. Among European porcelains, ware of Germany, analysed by M. Müller, is taken. The well-known geologist, M. Gümbel, has recorded his opinion that Izumi-yama and the surrounding district of Arita are of volcanic character, and that the porcelain stone found there closely resembles the trachytic clay stones of Hungary; while M. Pabot concludes that the Chinese porcelain stones of Ching-tê-chên belong to the archaic formation, and most
