Multi-methodological study of Early Modern Age archaeological glazed ceramics from Prague

Abstract

A set of scientific methods (X-ray analyses, optical and electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy and thermal analyses) was used for research of ceramic bodies and glazes of forty vessels from Renaissance Prague. The set of early modern age archaeological glazed ceramics contained tableware, kitchenware and technical ceramics. The main aim was to characterize ceramic materials and glazes over two centuries. Attention was also paid to identification of defects and corrosion products of the glazes. The research was conducted with an emphasis on the context of the original use of ceramic artefacts and the environment of waste pits from which they were excavated. Among the archaeological finding, three vessels of technical ceramics were found (a rectifier, a bowl and a jar) which together could have formed a distillation apparatus. Since these vessels represent a unique finding, they were subjected to a detailed survey. Based on the similarity of ceramic bodies and glazes, it was proved that the three vessels of technical ceramics were made in the same workshop and were parts of one distillation apparatus. The results of the performed analyses proved that the studied vessels were manufactured from raw materials with high content of a plastic component and that the raw materials did not change significantly during the period from 15th to 18th centuries. The firing temperature of most of the vessels did not exceed 1000 °C. It was proved that all glazes were middle- or high-lead glazes and were coloured with ionic pigments.