Ceramic technology: how to characterize terra sigillata ware

Sciau, Philippe; Sanchez, Corinne; Gliozzo, Elisabetta

doi:10.1007/s12520-020-01137-8

Cited by 24 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 84 publications

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“…the processing (Eramo 2020) and modelling (Thér 2020) of clays; surface finishing (Ionescu and Hoeck 2020) and ceramic firing (Gliozzo 2020b); the investigation of different coatings such as black glass-ceramic (Aloupi-Siotis 2020), terra sigillata (Sciau et al 2020) and glazes (Pradell and Molera 2020); the isotopic study of particular types of products such as Chinese ceramics (this paper); the identification of postburial transformations (Maritan 2020); the dating of ceramics (Galli et al 2020); and the restoration and musealisation of ceramics (de Lapérouse 2020). This Topical Collection concludes with a tutorial on statistical data processing (Papageorgiou 2020).…”

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Isotopic investigations of Chinese ceramics

Henderson

Cui

et al. 2020

Archaeol Anthropol Sci

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This chapter provides insights into Chinese ceramic technologies of both bodies and glazes as well as provenance by using isotopes applied to a number of case studies. The use of Sr isotopes to investigate Chinese high-fired Celadon wares and blueand-white Jingdezhen porcelain (Jiangxi province) has revealed a clear distinction associated with the fluxes used in the glazes: plant ash in celadons and limestone in Jingdezhen glazes, something that is not clear from major element analysis. Furthermore, the technique is able to suggest by implication the nature of the silica source used in the glazes-normally weathered granitic rocks or metamorphic rocks (porcelain stone) which also contains Sr. This leads to an isotopic mixing line of the 2 Sr-rich components and is proof that 2 Sr-rich components were mixed in the manufacture of limestone glaze. This is not the case for plant ash glazes. Eventually, the technique may be used in provenance studies. Like Sr isotope analysis, lead isotope analysis relies on there being a lack of or a minimal change in the isotope ratios when the raw materials are heated. Lead isotope analysis links the use of lead in glazes to the original metal ore and if a kiln uses a distinctive lead source in its glazes, it can provide a provenance for the pottery. This has been very successful in distinguishing Chinese Tang sancai wares made in the Huangye, Huangbao, Liquanfang and Qionglai kilns.

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