Contemporary Golden‐Like Lusters on Ceramics: Morphological, Chemical, and Structural Properties

Abstract

This paper describes an investigation on contemporary luster layers produced by a Spanish craftsman who is working on reproducing the traditional Islamic recipes. Various analytical investigations (AFM, HR‐SEM, PIXE, RBS, TEM, XPS, GIXRD) were carried out. The aim of this study is to establish the chemical nature and physical structure of the luster layer constituted by silver and copper particles of nanometric dimensions. This information is used to expand on a formation model of a luster layer.

The invention of lustre: Iraq 9th and 10th centuries AD

“…Most relevant is that, although the colours and appearance of lustres from several places and times may seem very different, their study has consistently shown that they all share the same microstructure and composition and consequently a common technology of production (Borgia et al, 2002;Friederick et al, 2004;Padovani et al, 2003Padovani et al, , 2004Fermo, 2003, 2004;Pérez-Arantegui et al, 2001, 2004Hélary et al, 2005 Pictures taken from the front and back sides of the four lustres from Iraq corresponding to 9th century AD polychrome lustres (p67 and p51) and to 10th century AD monochrome lustres (p32 and p37). For the interpretation of the colour in this figure, the reader is referred to the web version of this article.…”

Metallic and nonmetallic shine in luster: An elastic ion backscattering study

“…The Si enriched and Pb depleted surface layers have also been observed in the study of ancient lusters. 5,24 The average copper composition calculated for a depth of 3 m, is 0.8 at. % Cu while the average copper concentration as determined by electron microprobe is 1.8͑1.2͒ at.…”

“…The metal particles range from 2 to 50 nm size and the whole layer is from 100 nm to about 1 m thick. [1][2][3][4][5] Luster was discovered in the Middle East in early Islamic times ͑Iraq, 9th AD͒ when the ceramists learned the physical-chemical mechanisms involved in luster formation. 6 The luster technique is very complex and includes ion exchange between Cu + and/or Ag + and alkaline ions from the glassy matrix ͑Na + and K + ͒, diffusion of the metal ions followed by nucleation, and growth in a reducing atmosphere to form metal copper and/or silver nanoparticles in the glass.…”

Laboratory Portrait: Analysis of Art Works and Nuclear Physics at the Laboratory ofCentre de recherche et de restauration des musées de France

“…In the ultimate years, there has been a renewed interest in luster pottery that has been investigated using SEM, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), EXAFS, and so on [15][16][17][18][19]. Luster is a ceramic decoration that appeared in the 9th century in the Middle East and spread around the Mediterranean basin in the following centuries.…”