Determining the Firing Condition of Ancient Chinese Porcelain
Date
2015-08
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University. Kazuo Inamori School of Engineering.
Abstract
Firing conditions have consistently played a vital role in the research of ancient
ceramics for archeologists. Eighteen ancient Chinese porcelain shards of between
900-1200 years ago, excavated from Jingdezhen were evaluated to determine their firing
conditions using three proposed models. In addition, newly created specimens using only
Chinese raw materials and typical Chinese commercial bodies were examined to assess
the applicability of models. Model #1 in terms of body-glaze penetration appears to be
unsuitable for shards because the original body-glaze interface could not be estimated.
Model #2, incorporated mullite crystallite size in (110) direction, appears to be reasonably
applicable because of an apparent variability in the ratio of primary : secondary mullite.
The silica level in the glass phase constituting Model #3, was demonstrated to be
dependent on initial silica level in the body as well as firing temperature and dwell time.
Potential correction for this model is proposed based on the available silica level in body.
And the validity of Models #2 and #3 is checked with specimens with known firing
parameters. The firing temperature of collected shards were predicted with estimated
dwell times of 72 and 96 hours based on historical records. This difference in dwell time
only generates a firing temperature difference of 10 K.
Description
Advisory committee members: Doreen Edwards, S.K. Sundaram. Dissertation completed in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Masters of Science in Ceramic Engineering at the Kazuo Inamori School of Engineering, New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University
Type
Thesis