change somewhat, becoming perceptibly darker by repeated firing. But when these qualities are once thoroughly understood, an allowance is made, and in the end red will be found satisfactory and quite indispensable.
Violet of iron is one of the most delightful of reds, and of inestimable value to the china painter. It is a subdued, low tone and combines well with blues, greens and browns. It requires a pretty sharp fire to glaze, when used pure, as in a monochrome, for which it is one of the most charming and restful of colors.
It may seem almost unnecessary to give a special admonition with reference to this color ; but the fact is, strange as it may appear, that violet of iron and violet of gold are often thoughtlessly confounded one with the other. This is inexcusable in any but the beginner who is not yet familiar with the colors ; but as an interchange involves considerable difference in results, it is well to guard against making this error.
Violet of iron is made from the oxide of iron, and is red. Violet of gold is made from gold, and is purple. They are totally unlike, and once cannot be substituted for the other.
There are two shades of violet of gold, light and dark. The light is quite pinkish and in the dark the blue predominates. These may be modified to
