The tin content of the blue-glazed Hutterite and haban ceramics — Implications for the production technology based on results of the handheld XRF and electron microprobe analyses

• DOI: 10.1556/022.2015.60.2.15
• Publication Date: 2016-04-23T05:12:04Z
• Authors: Bernadett Bajnóczi; Zoltán May; Anna Ridovics; Máté Szabó; Géza Nagy; Mária Tóth
• Keywords: EMPA; Tin oxide

The Hutterites and Habans produced coloured-glazed, mostly blue- yellow-coloured vessels alongside their white-glazed faience ware. However, the production technology of coloured-glazed vessels, specifically nature glaze, is a matter debate among scholars. Both coloured tin glaze engobe covered with transparent lead were thought to have been applied on ceramics. Around 140 objects blue-glazed Hutterite Haban museum archaeological artefacts analysed using handheld XRF spectrometer. In addition, small fragments selected ceramics studied by electron microprobe analysis (EMPA). According measurements blue all except one contains in variable amounts (from about 0.015 wt% up 13 wt%). EMPA technique showed that form oxide opacifier was deliberately added single-layered alkali– or lead–alkali glaze. These data confirm used during ceramics, this respect they can be regarded as faience. “mining town” workshop very low concentrations (Sn <0.2 XRF), therefore opacity mainly caused abundant silica arsenate particles.