The art of glass shewing how to make all sorts of glass, crystal and enamel : likewise the making of pearls, precious stones, china and looking-glasses : to which is added, the method of painting on glass and enameling : also how to extract the colours from minerals, metals, herbs and flowers ... : illustrated with proper sculptures / written originally in French, by Mr. H. Blancourt, and now first translated into English ; with an appendix, containing exact instructions for making glass-eyes of all colours.

CHAP. CLIX. To make Purple-coloured Enamel.

PURPLE is a Colour highly in request with all Grave Philosophers, as if it did express the End of their Expectation, the Fulness of their Delight and Desire; it was so mightily esteemed by the Ancients, that among the Romans the Emperors, the Princes, the Renowned Chiefs, and other Magi∣strates of that Puissant Empire only made use thereof: And the Lacedemonians, who looked upon themselves to be the most Ancient People on Earth, cloathed themselves with it, that they might be the more emi∣nently distinguished, so great an Affection they bore to this Noble Colour: The Emperors of Greece had so much value and regard for Purple, that they sought out the choicest and most exquisite to have the young Princes of the Blood Born in, intimating by this a Glo∣rious Omen of their Generosity, the Colour truly im∣plying a perfect Symbole of Heroick Vertue, and by which their Illustrious Parentage, and Royal De∣scent from Kings and Princes, was most eminently shewn.

The Art of Dying in this Rich and Noble Colour was formerly so very considerable among the Anci∣ents, that such as practised it in the City of Tyre, were ex••mp•••• (as well as the Nobility or Members of the Government) from all manner of Taxes and Contrib••••ions; which Priviledges and Advantage have a very near resemblance to those which our Art of Glass have received; and this costly Colour is e∣qually estimable in both; and besides, the Employ∣ment of this latter admits only of Gentlemen, by whom alone ••uch Priviledges are enjoyed without de∣rogation from their Nobility, as we have shewn in Chap. 3.

The grand Prerogatives of these two Gentile Arts, are Arguments which may serve easily to convince us that they have nothing in the practice of them either Mean or Vulgar, but have in them always something of Elevation and Sublimity beyond all other Occupa∣tions: And 'tis observable, that such as wrought in the first, enjoy'd the Priviledges of Nobility, and that such of the Nobility as Exercise themselves in the latter, may do it without prejudice to their Birth.

Now to make Enamel of a Purple-colour, you must take four pound of Principal Powder, as prepa∣red in Chap. 148. add to this two Ounces of Manga∣nese of Piedmont, prepared as we shall direct in Chap. 164. put these into a White glazed Earthen pot, al∣lowing it large enough to bear with the Ebullitions and raising of the Metal: When it's throughly melt∣ed, cast it into Water, dry it, and put it again into the pot to refine; then consider whether it be well e∣nough coloured, and accordingly make it up into Cakes, and keep it for use as before.