The fayences of the first epoch, 1600 to 1660, have frequently been confounded with Italian maiolica, but a little attention will show the points of difference. In the Nevers ware the figures are always yellow on blue ground; the Italian figures are usually blue on yellow. At Nevers red or metallic lustre was never employed, and the outlines are always traced in manganese violet, never in purple or black. During the second epoch, the ground was a peculiar lapis-lazuli blue, like the Persian colour called _bleu de Perse_; it entirely covered the piece, was spotted or painted with white, or sometimes in yellow and orange, and decorated with flowers and birds. The Chinese patterns are in light blue _en camaïeu_, sometimes intermixed with a sort of brown lilac. [Illustration: FIG. 59.--PILGRIM'S BOTTLE. _Bleu de Perse. 2nd half of 17th Century._ Height 11-1/2 in.] [Illustration: FIG. 60.--EWER. _Painted with Japanese figures, 2nd half of 17th Century._ Height 15-3/8 in.] [Illustration: FIG. 61.--PILGRIM'S BOTTLE. APOLLO AND DAPHNE; _rev._ A BACCHANALIAN SCENE. _In blue and yellow._ Height 12-1/4 in.] ROUEN. There was a manufactory of pottery at Rouen early in the 16th century, and towards the end of the next century there were many establishments. At the commencement of the 18th century, the Chinese style pervaded all the Rouen fayence, but it was transformed or travestied and possessed a special physiognomy; the subjects were landscapes and buildings with figures, fantastic birds, dragons, &c., in blue, green, yellow, and red, bordered with the square Chinese ornaments. At a later date the decoration consists principally of flowers issuing from cornucopiæ and rococo ornaments; this sort of style is called in France "_à la corne_." The paste of the Rouen fayence is heavier and thicker than that of Delft, but the designs and ornaments are full of taste, decorated in blue _camaïeu_ and in polychrome, some in the style of Nevers, with white on _bleu de Perse_, but of paler colour. The pieces were frequently of large size, and included fountains, consoles, vases, &c. [Illustration: FIG. 62.--EWER.] [Illustration: FIG. 63.--EWER.] [Illustration: FIG. 64.--PLATE.] Fig. 62 is painted with polychrome decoration of landscapes, &c.; period of Louis XIV.; height 26-3/8 in. Fig. 63 is painted in blue with arabesques and flowers; period of Louis XIV.; height 9-3/4 in. Fig. 64 is painted in the centre with a rose ornament, with medallions and scrolls round the rim, in blue and orange; period of Louis XIV.; diam. 10 in. [Illustration: FIG. 65.--COMPOTIER.] [Illustration: FIG. 66.--COMPOTIER.] Fig. 65 is painted in polychrome; period of Louis XV.; diam. 9-5/8 in. Fig. 66 is painted with Chinese figures, &c., in polychrome; period of Louis XV.; diam. 10 in.