The Ancient Art Stoneware of the Low Countries and Germany, or "Grès De Flandres" And "Steinzeug", Vol. 2

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Excerpt from The Ancient Art Stoneware of the Low Countries and Germany, or "Grès De Flandres" And "Steinzeug", Vol. 2: Its Principal Varieties and the Places Where It Was Manufactured During the Xvith and Xviith CenturiesTo a certain extent Cologne might, on the evidence of the brownpottery just discovered in her soil, set up a not unreasonable claim to have been the birthplace of all the stoneware of similar description. More than one learned specialist has already, we know, weighed with eagerness the pros and cons of the question. Supposing that the theory were fim'mafacz'e to be accepted, it might be urged in its favour that, after the disbandment of the workmen employed in the pot works of the town, they all repaired to Raeren, a peaceful Village where they hoped to settle and carry on their trade unmolested, and under the best conditions. But we should have to believe that they emigrated there in large numbers, for it is beyond doubt that at a corresponding period Raeren had an active and important population, and unfortunately we have not a vestige of evidence that pot - making was ever a great branch of industry in Cologne, where most probably it was practised only as a short-lived experiment. Had it been otherwise, the civic records would certainly have mentioned it.The hypothesis which would make the temporary establishment of pot-making in the town consequent upon the enterprize of a few operatives coming from the Limburg factories, seems to rest on better foundation. There is no difficulty in admitting that some discontented Flemish potters had formed and carried out the project of leaving their crowded village to settle in the rich and industrious city, their subsequent banishment is then easily accounted for. Such an undertaking was not, as we may imagine, to be favourably considered by the inhabitants of the quarter where they had put up their workshops and ovens. The heavy firing, kept up night and day, was a constant source of danger. The magisterial edict was not long in coming by which the unwelcome neighbours were compelled to desist from continuing their objectionable practices, and to depart in quest of more suitable ground. Such high handed proceedings would certainly not have been taken against a long-established and prosperous industry.About the PublisherForgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.comThis book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully, any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.