A Guide through the Worcester Royal Porcelain Works
By Richard William Binns and E.P. Evans
The extraordinary mania for Pottery at the present time is not peculiar to our age. The history of our art throughout the world teaches us that it has been cultivated in all ages and under every variety of circumstance, and at times under the most distinguished patronage.
There are many reasons why this important and truly beautiful art should engage the attention of the people. The learned Brongniart says ("Traite des Arts Ceramiques")-"I know of no art which presents in the study of its practice, its theory, and its history, so many interesting and varied considerations as the Ceramic art."
We regard it as the graphic medium of antiquity. The clay so sensitive in the hands of the potter exhibits the most subtle expression of the actor's will, and presents to us the mind and character of ancient peoples who may have left no other trace behind.
Birch says-" The history of the art of working in clay, from its rise amongst the oldest nations of antiquity till the present time, resolves itself into two great divisions, which have engaged the attention of two distinct classes of enquirers, namely, the technical or scientific part, comprising all the details of material, manipulation and processes; and, secondly, the historical portion, which embraces not only the history of the art itself, and the application of ancient literature to its elucidation, but also on account of the light thrown by monuments in clay on the history of mankind."
The study, therefore, is neither deficient in dignity, nor limited to trifling investigations, nor rewarded with insignificant results.
A knowledge of the origin and progress of any branch of art must always be of immense importance to its future development and improvement. This is particularly true of the art of working in clay, both from its universal diffusion and from the indestructible nature of its products.
Entirely sympathising with these sentiments, the present brochure has been written, not with the idea of giving a history of porcelain manufacture in its technical or scientific details, nor the history of the art with reference to nations, but for the purpose of answering the questions so frequently put by visitors, respecting the various processes of manufacture at the Worcester Royal Porcelain Works.
Everyone being interested in the manufacture of porcelain, it is our desire to explain the processes in the most simple manner, and to endeavour to make a visit instructive as well as interesting, and possibly direct attention to the geological, chemical, and technical studies which are involved in its practice.
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