Handbook of Pottery and Porcelain. By Hodder M. Westropp. (Chatto
and Windas.)—The author of this nicely-illustrated and Handbook of Pottery and Porcelain. By Hodder M. Westropp. (Chatto and Windas.)—The author of this nicely-illustrated and
neatly got-up booklet describes it, in his preface, as the expansion of a lecture. This lecture he extended, "by extracting freely from the best writers." The final product of the compiler's labours is not altogether satisfactory. For the greater part of the illustrations we have little but praise to award, although it is true that we recognise many of the pieces figured and the engravings of them as familiar friends. But the descriptions of different wares, of styles of ornament, and of pastes and glazes are, in some instances at least, vague and inexact. The few pages devoted to the earthenware and porcelain of Japan and China are particularly inadequate and un- satisfactory. And what is to be made of Mr. Westropp's statements as to the ceramic works of Persia, on page 90 2—" In Persia there was no porcelain proper. Persian porcelain is, in reality, of Chinese make." "Examples of Persian porcelain occur of the six- teenth and seventeenth centuries. The soft porcelain of Persia,' writes Mr. Marryatt, is remarkable for its excessively soft, trans-
lucent paste.'" "In the opinion of some, Persian porce- lain is, in reality, of Chinese make." And so on.
Previous page
