Glazes, colourants and decorations in early Islamic glazed ceramics from the Vega of Granada (9th to 12th centuries CE)

Abstract

This paper presents an analysis of glazes of vessels unearthed in archaeological excavation in the Vega of Granada (south-east Spain) and that can be dated between the 9 th and the 12 th centuries AD. The material analysed includes the first glazed ceramics produced in Al-Andalus after the Islamic occupation of the Peninsula. From a very early period (mid to late-9 th century) there is a coexistence of lead-alkaline monochrome (green and honey) glazed vessels, and of polychrome decorated (green, white and brown) tin-glazed, wares early examples of the so called green and manganese wares. From the 10th century onwards honey lead-alkaline glazed vessels often with manganese-painted decorations are found. The chemical composition of the ceramic pastes, glazes and decorations as well as of the microcrystallites present in the glazes is obtained from polished cross sections of the glazes by SEM-EDS, OM and EPM. Information about the materials and methods of production is discussed and compared to contemporary productions from other areas in Al Andalus and also to later productions.

Ex novo development of lead glassmaking in early Umayyad Spain

“…No other glass objects of the same composition have been identified elsewhere, with the exception of lead glazes from the Emiral period (c. 850 to 875 CE) ( 39 , 40 ). Our results from Šaqunda thus show that the innovations in glassmaking predate the introduction of translucent lead-glazed ceramics in Iberia in the second half of the ninth century ( 39 – 41 , 56 ) by more than half a century.…”

“…The well-documented glass workshops from Murcia at Puxmarina and Belluga that were active in the 12th century seem to have combined primary and secondary workshops for the entire production cycle from the raw materials to the finished products, including possibly even the processing of lead ( 62 ). Evidence from the 9th- and 10th-century ceramics workshop at Pechina (Almería) and San Nicolás (Murcia) also suggests close interactions between the production of glass and glazes ( 40 , 56 , 63 ). Thus, the advent of lead glasses in Šaqunda signals the technological, economic, and cultural emancipation of early Umayyad Iberia.…”

Tracing the tin-opacified yellow glazed ceramics in the western Islamic world: the findings at Madīnat al-Zahrā’

“…The most extensive of these local productions was a transparent lead glazed ware which was mainly either honey or greenish coloured, and decorated with simple brown patterns using a manganese-based colorant. Although this ware has not been analysed, contemporary green, yellow and brown lead glazes from Murcia (Molera et al 2009) and from la Vega in Granada (Molera et al 2017) have been shown to be of the high lead type (50-54 wt% PbO, and 45-52 wt% PbO respectively). In addition, a second distinctive local production was a polychrome "green and brown" decorated, tin-opacified glazed ware (Molera et al 2001).…”

Architecture and ceramic materials, development through time: Ceramic tiles and ceramic roof tiles

“…Ceramic tiles were changing through epochs, from lavish facades and interior decorations of Spain [8] and Portugal, through the ceramics of renaissance Italy to the blue drawings on white tiles in England and Holland [1].…”

“…) Guaranty Building, Buffalo, N.Y.,Dankmar Adler and Louis Sullivan, 1894-95; b) National Farmers' Bank, designed by Louis Sullivan, 1908, Owatonna, Minn, source[14] …”