Compositional characterization of Zisha clay from the Yixing area (Jiangsu, China) by neutron activation analysis

Abstract

Zisha stoneware is a distinctive pottery tradition unique to China. This ceramic tradition was highly popularized during the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644 CE), and continues to be manufactured through the present day. Throughout history, Zisha stoneware vessels have been highly desirable objects used mainly by high status individuals, and by the early 17th century was exported to Europe as trade items. Soon thereafter, European imitations of Zisha stonewares were produced in the Netherlands at Delft, and in England and Germany. Today, authentic Zisha wares are difficult to discern from imitations using the naked eye alone, which poses problems for provenance, authenticity of antiquities, and reconstructing ancient ceramic technologies developed in China. The goal of this study was to determine the elemental and mineralogical properties of Zisha clays and to evaluate their suitability for archaeological provenance study. This study used petrographic thin-section analysis and neutron activation analysis to characterize multiple distinct types of Zisha clays, as well as other regional clays, from deposits around Huanglong Mountain (Yixing City, China). Representative samples of each clay type were sub-divided into untreated raw clays and processed and fired ceramics for comparison. The results show clays from each major collection area have unique compositional signatures based on their trace element chemistries and mineralogical properties. Additionally, those characteristics are stable and not significantly altered by preparation or firing processes. We propose that Zisha clays have high potential for archaeological provenance studies of Zisha stoneware antiquities.