Nondestructive Analysis of Celadon Unearthed from Xiangzhou Kiln in Anyang by Portable Spectrometer

Abstract

Xiangzhou kiln was an important kiln in northern China from the Northern Dynasty to the Sui and Tang Dynasties. To investigate the locality features and glaze-making technique of the celadon produced in Xiangzhou kiln, this study used portable X-ray fluorescence spectrometer to conduct non-destructive testing on chemical element composition of some celadon and a small amount of white porcelain glaze layer, decorative slip and porcelain body excavated in Xiangzhou kiln in 2009. The data shows that the artifacts unearthed in the kiln site are high-temperature calcium-glazed porcelain; most of the celadon-glazed porcelain belong to unselected porcelain. The level of potassium content in the glaze will affect the firing state, and the level of titanium content in the glaze will affect the glaze browning or bluing. The kiln workers used decorative slip with similar composition as porcelain body to improve the celadon product quality and achieve the effect of body protection and whitening. The results show that it is feasible to use portable X-ray fluorescence spectrometer to study the provenance of porcelain, which provides a real and reliable database for the future provenance analysis of porcelain in Sui Dynasty, and provides scientific data for the research on the raw material preparation technology of Xiangzhou kiln porcelain.