|
Parian Circa 1844 a new ceramic came on the market called Parian. It was a creamy, white, biscuit, porcelain-like body, usually unglazed; made to simulate marble and to be a substitute for the biscuit porcelain of Sevres. It is often called, "poor man's marble". Because it was easily molded into intricate shapes. Parian was widely used for figures, table wares and jugs. Several companies claim to have invented parian, but the truth seems to be that several came up with the product about the same time. Each company's parian is slightly different from the others, but all are heavy, highly fired, creamy white and slightly translucent. Parian is a cross between porcelain and stoneware. Copeland, Minton, Wedgwood and Worcester are the main producers, and the finest quality parian came from these potteries. |