Abstract
Bernard Palissy is a French Renaissance ceramist renowned for his masterpieces called Rustiques Figulines on which dozens of glazes of different chemistries (and thus firing behaviors) coexist harmoniously. This study aims at gathering information on the master procedure -never revealed- by investigating the body-glaze interface region (focusing on iron-colored honey transparent glaze-white body system). Optical and electron microscopies including transmission electron microscopy (TEM) are used to characterize the micro and nanostructure of both archaeological and replicas interfaces elaborated in controlled conditions (firing time, cooling rate, addition of Al in the glazing mixture). Both types of interfaces are comparable: a modified paste area from which are growing a relatively continuous layer of interfacial crystals identified as lead feldspars (K,Ca)PbAl2Si2O8 micro-sized single-crystals incorporating mullite 3Al2O3.2SiO2 nano-sized single-crystals. Modification of the firing parameters and removal of Al from the glazing mixture change essentially the interface extension and the micro-crystals morphology. By comparing archaeological and replica interfaces and considering previous studies, we can now state that Palissy was very likely adding clay (Al) in his frit. Moreover, he was probably working with a firing time of more than 1 h followed by slow cooling in the oven.
Highlights
IntroductionBernard Palissy (1510–1590) is one of the most famous French Renaissance ceramists
Bernard Palissy (1510–1590) is one of the most famous French Renaissance ceramists. His masterpieces called the Rustique Figulines are ceramic plates, vases or architectural elements adorned with molded animals or plants laying on a rockery-style base [1]
In the present study, a multi-scale analysis has been developed including transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and associated techniques. This analytical strategy is used to characterize the morphology, chemistry, and microstructure of Palissy glazed ceramics interfaces areas down to the nanoscale
Summary
Bernard Palissy (1510–1590) is one of the most famous French Renaissance ceramists. The artist was able to deal with a dozen of glazes of different colors and transparencies (and different chemical compositions and firing behaviors) to obtain at the end a single object illuminated by a harmonious set of glazes cohabiting perfectly together, without any elaboration defects (burr, cracks, etc.). In his writings, Palissy highlights how these results have been achievable only after long years of sacrifice and hard labor [2]. He always refuses to reveal his recipe secrets: very few information about the elaboration process of his glazed ceramics (raw materials, firing parameters) are available in his publications
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