Study on firing temperature of the Song Dynasty (960\u20131279AD) greenish-white porcelain in Guangxi, China by thermal expansion method

Yongdong Tong,Changming Wang

doi:10.1186/s40494-019-0312-8

Abstract

The original firing temperatures of porcelain pieces unearthed from Tengxian Zhonghe kiln, Rongxian Chengguan kiln, Beiliu Lingdong kiln and Guiping Xishan kiln from the Song Dynasty (960–1279AD) of Guangxi were preliminarily studied by thermal expansion method. The experiment results show that the average firing temperature of Zhonghe kiln is 1186 °C (standard deviation 59 °C), the firing temperature relatively concentrated and low. The average firing temperature of Chengguan kiln is 1233 °C (standard deviation 46 °C), with the majority above 1200 °C, indicating that the kiln had a high and concentrated firing temperature. The average firing temperature of Lingdong kiln is 1250 °C (standard deviation 87 °C), the firing temperature are in a broad spectrum. The firing temperatures of Xishan kiln are mostly over 1300 °C (average 1307 °C, standard deviation 75 °C), which are generally considered very high, and the highest one it can go up to 1456 °C, which is the highest firing temperature of ancient Chinese ceramics known to date. Compared with the firing temperature of porcelain in other regions of China in Song Dynasty, it can be concluded that the high-temperature technology of Guangxi porcelain kilns was equal to or even advanced than other kilns. In the light of these findings, we conclude that the ancient Guangxi region of China did not lag behind the central plains in terms of ceramic firing technology and culture.

Highlights

Introduction and research aimThe porcelain industry in Guangxi boomed during the Song Dynasty (960–1279AD), and dominated by two kiln systems of celadon and greenish-white porcelain
The purpose of this paper is to study the firing temperature of the greenish-white porcelain unearthed from Song Dynasty kilns in Guangxi, China by using the thermal expansion method and to provide scientific data for Sampling information Ten samples from the Zhonghe kiln were selected, which were collected at four different sites: Lishankou, Pingtouling, Feimaling, Feimaling primary school and Zhimaping
Thermal expansion method is based on the following theoretical hypotheses: When a ceramic material with a certain firing temperature is heated from room temperature to its original firing temperature, the material exhibits normal reversible thermal expansion; If the temperature continues to rise, due to the continuation and deepening of sintering, irreversible rapid shrinkage will be superimposed on the existing reversible expansion

Summary

Introduction

Introduction and research aimThe porcelain industry in Guangxi boomed during the Song Dynasty (960–1279AD), and dominated by two kiln systems of celadon and greenish-white porcelain. The greenish-white porcelain kiln sites are concentrated in the southeast of Guangxi, consisting of three distribution areas: Beiliu river basin, Guiping and the upper reaches of Wusi river. [1]; Lingdong kiln flourished in the early Southern Song Dynasty [2]; Guiping kiln appeared in the early Northern Song Dynasty, close to Five Dynasties (907–960AD), and ended in the early Huizong period (1100–1126AD) [3]. These kilns used to produce porcelain with a large quantity, high quality and superb techniques.

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Conclusion