Scientific analysis of some glazed pottery unearthed from Warring States Chu tombs in Jiangling, Hubei Province: Indication for the origin of the low‐fired glazed pottery in China

Abstract

A portable energy dispersive X‐ray fluorescence spectrometer and a micro‐Raman spectrometer are used for the nondestructive analysis of a batch of glazed pottery ornaments unearthed from Warring States Chu (楚) tombs (B.C.475–B.C.221) in Jiangling, Hubei Province, China. According to the chemical compositions obtained, all of the glazes belong to the lead–barium–silicate (PbO–BaO–SiO2) system and contain certain levels of copper. The man‐made barium copper silicate pigment crystals, such as Chinese blue (BaCuSi4O10) and Chinese purple (BaCuSi2O6), are identified from several samples by micro‐Raman spectrometer. Besides, gypsum and hematite are found in the white and brown regions of two eye beads. Combined with other glazed pottery and the related silicate artifacts (e.g., lead–barium glass and faience, potash–lime glass and glazed pottery, high‐lead glazed pottery, etc.), the origin, development, and affected factors of ancient Chinese low‐fired glazed pottery have been discussed preliminarily. The present study provides principal evidences for the technological provenance, raw material recipes, and the relationship between low‐fired glazed pottery and related vitreous materials of ancient China. It also provides some significant clues for the origin and the development of ancient Chinese lead–barium glass.