Ceramic Decoration Research Articles

Advancing Ceramics Glaze Formulation with Existing Software Technology Using Locally Available Raw Materials in Nigeria

The application of glazes on clay-based ceramic products has been identified as one of the best form of ceramic decorations. This can be attributed to its characteristic to lend aesthetic value to ceramic products and also to render them more durable, useful and hygienic. This paper reports an investigation on the development of new ceramic glaze recipes by means of selected glaze software packages using locally available raw materials in Nigeria. For the achievement of this study, survey methods, material oxide analysis, as well as kiln firings have been used. The results established the possibility of using existing glaze software in Nigeria so as to derive new recipes from old ones by using local material analyses database. The study indicates that with recent technological solutions, local raw materials can be properly identified and maximally utilized for a nation’s industrial development and sustainable economic growth.

Development of a yellow ceramic pigment based on silver nanoparticles

Abstract In this study a yellow pigment was obtained for third-fire ceramic decorations, based on silver nanoparticles synthesised by the method of chemical reduction in aqueous phase, using silver nitrate and polyvinylpyrrolidone as raw materials. Monitoring of the nanoparticle synthesis reaction by UV–vis spectroscopy allowed optimum operating conditions to be defined in preparing these particles for use as chromophores. Under these conditions, a stable suspension of Ag nanoparticles, which were well dispersed and had an average diameter of 20–30 nm, was obtained. Polyvinyl alcohol and tetraethyl orthosilicate were then added to the nanoparticle suspension to obtain the pigment precursor. The pigment precursor was directly applied on to fired glazed ceramic tile. Subsequent thermal treatment at moderate temperature (700 °C) yielded a layer less than one micron thick, which generated an intense yellow colour.

Dis-moi quel pot tu as et je te dirai qui tu es! Matérialiser les identités sociales dans les décors céramiques de la moyenne vallée du fleuve Sénégal (nord du Sénégal)

The general problem of the social relevance or the ethnic identity of ceramics is increasingly being studied through the medium of their manufacture. Nevertheless, however out of date it may appear, the notion of decorative style remains relevant in the context of the Middle Senegal Valley. In fact, the decorative attributes of the ceramics from this region inform us not only about the social identity of their makers, but also about that of their users. Through the structure of their decoration into simple or complex schemes, ceramics reproduce the social hierarchy of Haplulaar populations. The artisanal groups that make up Halpulaar society individualise the pottery that they make using decorative techniques appropriate to their own caste. The ethnoarchaeological study of ceramic decoration in this geographical area offers the possibility of renewing the more general debate over the relationship between pottery and social boundaries.

Preparation of Chemically Prepared Toners (CPT) by Polymerisation for Ceramic Decoration

In ceramics decoration by xerography, once the toner particles have been deposited, the substrates need to be subjected to thermal treatment at temperatures above 400 °C to eliminate the organic constituents in the toner and enable the inorganic constituents to be integrated into the ceramic surface. The inorganic component includes an active inorganic fraction in decoration that is able to modify the aesthetic appearance of the surface to be coated, and an inorganic fraction that facilitates fusibility and integration into the substrate.At present, this type of toner is made by the pulverisation method, with the presence of irregularly-shaped particles and inorganic particles that are only partly coated by the plastic organic matrix, which can lead to problems of particle flowability and electrical conductivity.This paper describes a new method of ceramic toner preparation by suspension polymerisation that avoids the above problems. The method allows a high inorganic component content in the toner composition to be reached, assuring good colour saturation in decoration.

A New Context for Rock Art: a Late Neolithic and Early Bronze Age Ritual Monument at Fylingdales, North Yorkshire

After fire swept across 2.5 km2of heather moorland the detail of a wide range of archaeological features was revealed. Among these was a so-far unique small circular monument, the principal component of which was a circle of near-upright slabs set in a shallow trench. The stones included one with a complex pecked geometric design reminiscent of some Grooved Ware ceramic decoration, and another with more commonly found cup-mark and linear motifs. Limited excavation was undertaken in response to disturbance of the monument and it was discovered that the stone with complex decoration had been reshaped for its monumental setting, having perhaps previously been a free-standing decorated monolith. In its altered form the stone formed part of a small circular arena, the interior face of which may have included alternating decorated and undecorated stones. The open arena had later been filled with rubble creating a small cairn, its material including a small block detached from the main stone as well as a number of cup- and other marked stones. Apart from the decorated stones there were no diagnostic artefacts and no direct dating information was present. It is suggested that the decorated stones originate in the later Neolithic period and that the monument containing them was constructed in the Early Bronze Age.

Conditions to Make Use of Architectural Ceramic Decorations in Ubiquitous Environment

Conditions to Make Use of Architectural Ceramic Decorations in Ubiquitous Environment

Tupiguarani painted ceramics vessels

Analisamos o código decorativo de vários grupos regionais portadores de cerâmica tupiguarani. Verificamos a utilização das cores, as fórmulas de decoração das diversas partes das vasilhas. Identificamos padrões figurativos em desenhos até então considerados geométricos. A pintura em cerâmica evidencia a existência de estilos regionais e a participação feminina nos rituais da sua sociedade

Analytical study of the behaviour of some ingredients used in lustre ceramic decorations following different recipes

Ceramic lustre is a fine decoration obtained by a complex technical process. Although the general production technique is more or less known, it is much more difficult to specify the ingredients mixed in the ancient recipes used to produce lustre and their function during the process, especially components as mercury sulphide and iron oxide. To understand this point, mixtures of the components were previously characterised and tested to see which mixtures resulted in the desired lustre. Synchrotron-Radiation-Source X-ray Diffraction (SRS–XRD) of the fired mixtures was performed to check the changes produced in the ingredients. Also Voltammetry of immobilised Microparticles was applied to the raw pigment powders to obtain information about the redox behaviour. Square-wave voltammetry demonstrates the possibility of different deposits that can be formed in the first steps of the reduction process in the pigment mixture for lustre production, especially those related to solid-form reactions and pigment-electrolyte interactions. Moreover, SR–XRD shows the formation of different crystalline phases at the end of the process, in this case probably also related to gas–solid interactions and to a strong reduction atmosphere.

Pigmentation of inks for emerging inkjet applications on glass, ceramics and metals

Ink jet printing is continuing to move into commercially attractive but technically demanding markets, such as the marking and decoration of glass, ceramics and metals. These markets can require inks with exceptional weather fastness, very high temperature resistance or chemical resistance. The organic pigments and binders commonly used in existing ink jet inks are not sufficiently resistant for such applications. There is therefore a need for jet inks based on stable dispersions of dense inorganic pigments and powdered glass frits. Such inks require a new understanding of jet ink formulation. This paper reviews some of the requirements and looks at how the problems are being resolved to make these emerging applications feasible.

Nuevas aportaciones sobre el fragmento cerámico

The red external surface of a vessel, decorated with an incised group of deer from Cova de l’Or, has been long considered characteristic of the application of the almagra technique. However, the results of the elemental analysis of this fragment, compared with the results of another vessel with almagra decoration from the same site, call into question the application of this technique in the first vessel. In addition, searching for parallels for the schematic incised motifs of the vessel, in both ceramic decorations and rock art, we have concluded that rather than deer the represented animals are hinds.

Characterization of cobalt pigments found in traditional Valencian ceramics by means of laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and portable X-ray fluorescence spectrometry

In this work, a comparison of the performances of laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICPMS) and portable X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometry for the characterization of cobalt blue pigments used in the decoration of Valencian ceramics is presented. Qualitative data on the elemental composition of the blue pigments obtained using both techniques show a good agreement. Moreover, the results clearly illustrate that potters utilized different kinds of cobalt pigments in different historical periods. While both techniques seem suitable for the proposed task, they show different strengths and weaknesses. Portable X-ray fluorescence spectrometry is a cheaper and totally non-destructive technique, capable of providing fast and reliable results at the mg g −1 level. LA-ICPMS, on the other hand, offers a much higher detection power and better spatial resolution, but its use results in some sample damage (sample consumption at the μg level), while it is a more expensive and non-portable technique.

LUSTRE COLOUR AND SHINE FROM THE OLLERIES XIQUES WORKSHOP IN PATERNA (SPAIN), 13TH CENTURY AD: NANOSTRUCTURE, CHEMICAL COMPOSITION AND ANNEALING CONDITIONS*

Lustre is a medieval ceramic decoration, corresponding to a nanostructured thin layer formed by metallic copper and silver nanocrystals embedded in a glass matrix, which required deep knowledge on the part of the artisans with regard to the raw materials used and the kiln conditions. Their empirical knowledge led to the achievement of colourful lustre decorations ranging from reddish to yellowish or even greenish, some of them with a metallic shine with an associated purplish iridescence. Lustre ceramics dating from the 13th century from the Olleries Xiques workshop in Paterna (Spain) have been studied, linking their chemical composition and nanostructure with their colours and shine. Two kinds of nanostructures are found, yellowish lustre decoration constituted by a silver metal–glass nanocomposite, and reddish lustre decoration constituted by metallic copper nanocrystals and copper oxide nanocrystals; in some cases, metallic copper nanocrystals covered with an oxidized shell of CuO and partly Cu2O have been found. However, even with significant amounts of copper oxide, the lustre still exhibits a copper metal‐like shine. The bluish iridescence observed at a specular angle in the lustre could not be explained completely by means of the chemical composition, and metallic silver nanoparticle light scattering is proposed as a possible explanation.

A Unified Evolutionary Model of Archaeological Style and Function Based on the Price Equation

The style-function dichotomy lies at the heart of the evolutionary archaeology research program. It also is the source of much disagreement about how we should conceive of the processes of culture change. Evolutionary archaeologists tend to view archaeological attributes as either functional, if they respond to selection, or stylistic, if they do not. Others tend to see style and function as operating simultaneously. A resolution to this problem is proposed through development of a formal mathematical model of style- and function-based evolution using a hypothetical example of temporal patterns of ceramic decoration within a community of household-based potters. Simple replicator equations are proposed to describe the household-scale dynamics of change in the relative frequency of ceramic decoration. These low-level dynamics can be distinguished on the basis of whether or not change is correlated with some measure of performance, utility, or payoff. The replicator equations are then used to derive several versions of the Price Equation (Price 1970), a very general and powerful statement about total evolutionary change in any system. At this scale of analysis, total change is similarly partitioned into payoff-correlated (functional) and payoff-independent (stylistic) contributions and it is shown that these processes are likely to operate simultaneously. Tests of the model against simulated data show that it is possible to estimate with considerable accuracy the strength of functional and stylistic contributions to culture change under ideal conditions of site preservation. Further theoretical work is needed, however, to understand how diverse site formation and disturbance processes might impact application of the model in real archaeological settings.

Study on the Synthetic Process of Calcium Borate

Calcium borate used for non-pollution flux of ceramic decoration materials is synthesized by using boric acid and calcium carbonate as raw materials. The effects of reaction temperature, concentration, time, pH value and additive agent on synthesis of calcium borate are studied. The synthesized products are characterized by using DTA, XRD, TEM and SEM. The results show that the better conditions are: synthesis temperature is 80-100°C, the proportion of boric acid and water is0.26 ~ 0.42 to 1(mol), the proportion of calcium carbonate and boric acid is 0.09-0.15 to 1(mol), the pH value is 5 ~ 7, reaction time is 3hs. The synthetic calcium borate is non-crystalline with particle size of 0.1 ~ 0.2 µm, when being calcinated at 300°C, the main crystal phase isCaO·3B2O3·4H2O.

The Evolution of a Caddo Community in Northeastern Texas: The Oak Hill Village Site (41RK214), Rusk County, Texas

The Oak Hill Village (41RK214) in northeastern Texas is a prehistoric (ca. A.D. 1150–1450) Caddo settlement that was completely excavated in the mid-1990s prior to lignite mining activities. Analysis of the architectural remains, key calibrated radiocarbon dates, and changes in ceramic decorations, indicates that the village evolved as three temporally and spatially different communities composed of a number of separate households. Emerging in the latter two communities were important social institutions (a plaza, an earthen mound, and specialized structures with extended entranceways) that bound this singular Caddo community together for approximately 150–200 years (ca. A.D. 1250–1450).

ANÁLISIS COMPARATIVO DE PROCESOS HISTÓRICOS DURANTE EL PERÍODO DE INTEGRACIÓN REGIONAL EN VALLES DE LA PROVINCIA DE LA RIOJA (ARGENTINA)

Present research related to La Aguada archaeology shows that, despite sharing a common background, strong regional differences stemming from divergent cultural and historical processes existed. A comparative analysis was undertaken between two Aguada societies from two micro-regions of the central section of the Valleys of Vinchina and Antinaco. The valleys mentioned are both included in the southern sector of La Aguada, La Rioja Province, Argentina (Gonzalez 1977, 1998). The main differences are found in the installation-establishment pattern, and the choice, within the La Aguada iconographic repertoire, of different patterns of ceramic decoration. In the Valley of Vinchina an invisibility strategy was developed and in ceramic decorations geometric patterns predominate. In the Valley of Antinaco a strategy of high visibility prevailed, as shown in the building of public spaces of a monumental nature, and in the ceramic decoration of figurative patterns with a strong symbolic content. With the aim of identifying a time frame for the Aguada sites, we analyzed radiocarbon dating results, which demonstrate diachronic social processes between both micro-regions

An Introduction to Unwrapping Algorithms for the Realistic Construction of Pattern Shapes

Many manufacturing processes involve wrapping a sheet of material over a surface. This paper focuses on wrappings where there is free movement of the sheets and the surfaces are almost developable. The approach is predominantly geometric and the key issues are the definition of almost developable surfaces and the distinction between flattening and unwrapping algorithms. There is an industrial case study to construct the pattern shape for a ceramic pot decoration.

Luster decoration of ceramics: mechanisms of metallic luster formation

Luster is a metallic decoration produced since early Islamic times (9th century AD in Iraq). Different studies have shown that medieval lusters are a metal-glass nanocomposite (metal nanoparticles embodied in a silica glassy matrix) obtained from the reaction of a copper and/or silver containing paint with a glaze. The mechanisms of formation of these metallic-like layers are investigated by laboratory reproductions of Medieval luster. Copper and silver lusters are obtained based on different thermal paths and atmospheres, and by using different glaze compositions. The ionic exchange between Cu+ and Ag+ ions from the luster paint with Na+ and K+ of the glaze, is demonstrated in either oxidizing or inert atmospheres and at firing temperatures between 500 °C and 600 °C. The reduction of copper and silver to their metallic state is obtained by introducing a reducing gas afterwards. The lusters are non-metallic red ruby copper or green with brown spots silver when developed over alkaline glazes, while they appear coppery and golden metallic when developed over mixed alkaline-lead glazes. SR-XRD, optical absorption and microprobe chemical analysis of the lusters indicate that the total amount of copper and silver, and the nature and size of the nanoparticles, are similar in both cases. Further work is needed to clarify the origin of these differences.

Die Kachetische Keramik des 1. Jts. V.Chr.

In Kakheti, the following stages of development concerning ceramic shapes, decoration and techniques of manufacture can be observed. First, from the 10 t h through 6 t h centuries BC brownish and greyish wares dominated. Shapes, ornamentation and technique are still redolent of local Bronze Age traditions, and show no external influence. Then, around soo BC we find a new reddish, hard-fired pottery, which often shows formerly unknown shapes. All these novelties come from Achaemenid Iran. In the following centuries, the new technology and repertoire of shapes displace the former ones. Similar development in Shida or Kvemo Kartli provides ample proof of close contacts between these three regions. Around the turn of the millennium there is a total break in the ceramic assemblage - pottery from the 'Yolojlu-Tapa culture' appears and, together with local wares, are often decorated with parallel white lines around the body. This, however, finds no parallel in the neigbouring parts of Eastern Georgia.

Evidence of nucleation and growth of metal Cu and Ag nanoparticles in lustre: AFM surface characterization

Lustre is one of the most interesting ancient ceramic decorations. Recent studies demonstrated that lustre correspond to a nanostructured thin layer formed by metallic copper and metallic silver nanocrystals embedded in a glass matrix. The aim of this paper is to improve the comprehension of lustre nature and the mechanisms of its formation focusing special attention on glaze surface nanotopography and the crystalline particles size and distribution. Lustre reproductions were studied during the lustre formation process and compared to medieval lustre layers. Lustre reproductions and ancient lustre surfaces were observed by means of White Light Interferometry, Atom Forces Microscopy, X-ray Diffraction and Electron Microprobe. These observations shown that lustre layer does not appear as a superimposed layer on the top of the glaze but as a surface roughness resulting by the nanocrystals growth inside the glassy matrix. Chemical Microprobe Analysis of lustre reproductions indicates that Cu and (later) Ag are introduced into the glaze by ion-exchange with alkalis (Na and K) from the glaze. White Light Interferometry and Atomic Forces Microscopy showed that surface roughness increase during the lustre formation process as a result of metal nanoparticles growth. Silver particles appear heterogeneously distributed and have a smaller size and higher roughness than copper particles on ancient lustre. This paper confirmed that lustre formation process involves two steps process: ion exchange and crystallization (nucleation and crystal growth) of Cu and Ag metal nanoparticles inside the glassy matrix.