Ceramic floor tiles with yellow pigment from Kievan Rus’: A technological study

Abstract

Colored glazed ceramic tiles were widely used for paving floors of the main buildings, mostly Orthodox churches, in the Kievan Rus’ (10th-13th centuries AD). The production of ceramic floor tiles was localized near the site of construction, and the date of production can be attributed to the date of construction or renovation of the church. Therefore, the study of glazed tiles makes it possible to determine the local and chronological features of their production technology.. Local production technology in Ancient Rus' was studied using thirteen yellow glazed ceramic tiles from six cities (Kiev, Galich, Polotsk, Vladimir-Volynsky, Pereslavl-Zalessky and Novgorod). Also, two samples were selected from churches in Polotsk, Vladimir-Volynsky and Vyshgorod at different times of construction or renovation to study chronological variations in tile production technology. Chemical compositions and crystalline phases of yellow glaze and ceramic body have been analyzed by X-ray diffraction, Raman and X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy. In all cases, samples of ceramic tiles were glazed with high-lead silicate glass, and lead tin yellow type II (PbSn1-xSixO3) was used as a pigment. Local production technology in Ancient Rus' was studied using thirteen yellow glazed ceramic tiles from six cities (Kiev, Galich, Polotsk, Vladimir-Volynsky, Pereslavl-Zalessky and Novgorod). Also, two samples were selected from churches in Polotsk, Vladimir-Volynsky and Vyshgorod at different times of construction or renovation to study chronological variations in tile production technology. Most likely, the glaze layer on the ceramic tile was formed using pre-synthesized glass; this technology differs from the conventional technology for pottery, uses lead oxide or a mixture of lead oxide and quartz. Data on the chemical composition of yellow lead glazed tiles dating from the 10th-13th centuries AD can be used to determine the region of glazed ceramic production.