The export of Tang sancai wares: some recent research

Colored lead glazed pottery of the Tang period and contemporary Islamic pottery found in the Middle East with similar decorative styles have been examined and analyzed in the scanning electron microscope (SEM) and by neutron activation analysis (NAA). The background to the appearance of sancai ceramics is discussed, and the difficulty of distinguishing between very similarly decorated wares produced by Chinese and Islamic potters. The SEM and NAA results show they can be clearly differentiated into Chinese ceramics with low iron, low calcium, high alumina bodies with high lead glazes containing negligible alkali. In contrast, the Islamic ceramics were made with calcareous clay bodies containing high iron and lower alumina with glazes of medium lead and significant alkali type. The NAA results also indicated specific fingerprints for the two types in the minor and trace elements. -- AATA