MINTON'S works, at Stoke-upon-Trent, are now very extensive. Not only is porcelain made there in great variety, but earthen-ware and tiles largely.
The factory was established in 1791, by Thomas Minton. Some of the most elaborate pieces of porcelain-work are now made there. The mark is "Minton," stamped on the pieces.
[Illustration: FIG. 153.--_Copeland's Jeweled Porcelain._]
Among the principal artists in the Messrs. Mintons' employ is M. Solon, formerly of Sèvres, who has produced some exquisite vases in _pâte-sur-pâte_--a method which consists in working, upon a dark body or paste, designs in a white or lighter paste. This, being semi-transparent, admits of delicate shading and modeling. This fascinating and finished style of work originated, so far as we know, in France, where some admirable pieces have been made, more perfect even than those by M. Solon. The vases by him, which were exhibited in Philadelphia in 1876, and which were sold to Sir Richard Wallace for six hundred guineas, have a deep olive-green body, upon which the figures seem floating, as if they had just appeared from the dark, or might at any moment sink into it. The mystery and strength of color no one can fathom or explain, nor can one at all put into words the ineffable satisfaction which one receives from such work as this. It is gratifying to know that two pairs of these vases were bought in this country--one by the Philadelphia Industrial Museum, and one by Henry Gibson, Esq., of that city.
The example which we engrave (Fig. 154) is from the collection of Messrs. Tiffany and Company, of New York. The ground is a luminous blue, the figures in a delicate white.
Although M. Solon has transferred his labors to England, he must be regarded as the outcome rather of the French than of the English soil.
[Illustration: FIG. 154.--_Vase in Pâte-sur-Pâte, by Solon._]
Another feature of the Minton productions is the imitation of _cloisonné_ work, using porcelain instead of metal, and painting on it with colors mixed with opaque enamels, as is practised also in China. We give a fine representation in Fig. 155.
The technical excellence of the modern English porcelain is very great, but it is not remarkable for originality of design. The tea and dinner services shown at the Philadelphia Exhibition were great in number, variety, and excellence. We give illustrations of some pieces made by Messrs. Brown-Westhead, Moore and Company (Figs. 156 and 157), which were satisfactory.