Lead Isotope Analysis of Tang Sancai Pottery Glazes From Gongyi Kiln, Henan Province and Huangbao Kiln, Shaanxi Province

Abstract

Through the use of MC–ICP–MS, this study analyses the lead isotope ratios of 19 Tang Sancai pottery glazes unearthed from the Gongyi and Huangbao kiln sites. According to their different lead isotope ratios, the two kilns can be grouped separately. The research also suggests that the Gongyi and Huangbao kilns are independent production centres of Tang Sancai in the Tang Dynasty. The data from the Huangbao kiln indicates that the lead in the glazes originates from the Northern China geochemical province, while the data from Gongyi kiln suggests its source as the Yangtze geochemical province. Furthermore, the results obtained for the Tang Sancai pottery indicate that the lead sources for glaze making of these two kilns were very consistent, which suggests that lead isotope analysis could be a helpful method to identify the kilns producing Tang Sancai artefacts.

Chemical and lead isotope analysis of some lead-barium glass wares from the Warring States Period, unearthed from Chu tombs in Changde City, Hunan Province, China

“…The sample preparation procedure is described in detail elsewhere (Cui et al, 2010). The full sequence of the process is the following: 1) Small glass fragments of approximately 10 mg are chipped off using a sharp scalpel; 2) Then, the fragments are dissolved in pure nitric acid in a 50 ml glass beaker; 3) Subsequently, the clear solution is leached and diluted in a 100 ml flask using deionised water; 4) The solutions are then measured to detect the lead contents using ICP-AES; 5) According to the results representing the lead contents, the solutions are then diluted down to the tolerance limit of the instrument, which is 1 ug/l; 6) The thallium (Tl) standard SRM997 are then added in the solutions; 7) The lead isotope ratios of the samples can be measured on the MC-ICP-MS.…”

Non-invasive Raman analyses of Chinese huafalang and related porcelain wares. Searching for evidence for innovative pigment technologies

“…Lead-based glazes usually liquefy at temperatures below 1000°C and were commonly used in China since the Han Dynasty (ca > 221) [1]. Overglaze polychrome wares coloured with copper green, iron red, antimony-iron yellow, and iron-manganese lead-glazes were produced subsequently from the 8 th century onwards [1,5,6,[27][28][29].…”

A study of the glazing techniques and provenances of Tang sancai glazes using elemental and lead isotope analyses

“…The lead isotope ratios of the Tang sancai glazes analysed in this study were in accordance with those analysed by Cui et al . (), which were plotted together with the data analysed in this study, in Figures (c, d).…”

“…Cui et al . () then showed that lead isotope ratios of Tang sancai glazes could distinguish between Huangpu and Huangye kiln products.…”