The earliest glazed ceramics in Constantinople: A regional or international phenomenon?

Abstract

This paper aims to stimulate research into the different classes of glazes applied to Byzantine ceramics in the fifth to late antique/early Christian centuries by pointing out that the Constantinopolitan Byzantine potters’ early experiments with alkaline-fluxed glazes have not previously been noted. As the techniques of lead and alkaline glazing were used in the east Mediterranean throughout the fourth to seventh centuries at monasteries in Egypt and Jordan, they were then likely to have been used also in Constantinople. The main subject of this paper is Byzantine ceramics, domestic and architectural, with both lead and alkaline glazes on the same objects. They fall into the classification, according to Byzantine terminology, of ‘Polychrome White Wares’, on account of their white fabric. It is suggested that although classifications to date of Polychrome Ware have concentrated on the colours or a combination of colour, shape, and fabric to reach chronological conclusions, it might be more fruitful to concentrate on the technology of the different glazes. From an examination of the available evidence a working hypothesis is presented, namely, Polychrome Wares with turquoise alkaline glazes should be dated before AD 900. It is proposed that the first step in advancing our knowledge of early productions of Polychrome Wares is to make glaze types the primary level of classification.