Comparison of rapid preparation methods for Pb isotope analysis of high‐Pb ceramic glazes: A case study of late medieval Besztercebánya/Banská Bystrica‐type stove tiles

Abstract

AbstractThis study identified the provenance of Pb flux used in the production of the glaze of unique, high‐quality late medieval stove tiles from the northern part of the Carpathian Basin, and elaborated and evaluated a fast preparation process to measure Pb isotope ratios in high‐Pb glazes. We compared three different methods of preparation. Method 1 consisted of the dissolution of bulk chips of glaze, dilution of the solution and mass spectrometric analysis without Pb purification. Method 2 collected the Pb from the surface of the glaze with acid‐impregnated swabs, subsequent dilution and direct analysis of the sample solution. Method 3 used solutions from method 1, extraction of Pb by ion‐exchange chromatography and analysis of the purified Pb. Each preparation method produced a similar Pb isotope ratio. The majority of the Pb isotope ratios fall into one group and indicate that lead imported from the Krakow–Silesia mining region was mainly used for production of the glazes of the stove tiles made by different workshops.