Obs. An early name for porcelain or majolica, dating to a period when its composition was still a secret. (Cf. CHINA1 4 a, quot. 1646.) Hence China-metalled a.
1599. Minsheu, Sp. Dial. (1623), 12. If a man will serue his turne with glasse, or China mettall [marg. i. the fine dishes of earth painted such as are brought from Venice].
1642. Rogers, Naaman, 227. How oft have I thought my fine wits and China-mettall’d understanding too dainty for thy matters.
1673. A. Walker, Leez Lachrymans, 13. Their Venice-glass, and Purslane and China-Metal, cracks with as slight a blow as pots of courser Clay.
1861. Our Eng. Home, 153.
