The Exploration of Sr Isotopic Analysis Applied to Chinese Glazes: Part Two

Abstract

To continue the enquiry into strontium isotope compositions in southern Chinese glazes, this study determines the strontium isotope compositions of porcelain glazes of Dehua ‘Blanc De Chine’ porcelain and blue‐and‐white porcelain, and Tai Po blue‐and‐white porcelain. Mixing lines are displayed in the strontium isotope compositions of the Dehua glazes, suggesting that raw materials of different natures were used to make the two glazes. By referring to the historical resources, a high‐calcium plant ash and a mixture of limestone and high‐silica ash can be suggested as the fluxes used in the recipes for ‘Blanc De Chine’ glaze and blue‐and‐white glaze respectively. The strontium isotope compositions of Tai Po blue‐and‐white porcelain glazes separate into two groups, suggesting that different recipes were used to make the same glaze. The group A includes too few samples to allow an identification of the raw materials used, while the strontium isotope compositions of group B samples suggest that a high‐calcium plant ash was added as the flux.