Lustre and glazed ceramic collection from Mas Llorens, 16-17th centuries (Salt, Girona). Provenance and technology

• DOI: 10.2451/2015pm0004
• Publication Date: 2015-04-01
• Authors: Judit Molera; Javier G. Iñáñez; Glòria Molina Giralt; Josep Burch; Xavier Alberch; Michael D. Glascock; Trinitat Pradell
• Keywords: tin glaze; Microscòpia electrònica d'escombratge; NAA; Àrees temàtiques de la UPC::Enginyeria dels materials; Catalonia; Pottery-- Catalonia-- 16th century; Scanning electron microscopy--Pictorial works; Lustre; post-medieval; Electron probe microanalysis; Arqueologia; EIBS; :Enginyeria dels materials [Àrees temàtiques de la UPC]; Ceràmica-- Catalunya- segle XVI; Ceràmica -- Catalunya -- S. XVI-XVII; LEAD GLAZES; Ceràmica; SEM; Ion mobility spectroscopy; Ceràmica - Catalunya - s. XVI-XVII; Microscopis electrònics; POTTERY

Luster pottery unearthed at Mas Llorens, a fortified house documented since the 13 th century onwards in city of Salt (Girona), constitutes one most interesting collections late 16 and early 17 centuries luster from Catalonia. The collection is formed by an unparalleled set more than 200 complete dishes bowls, which were buried same place moment, then becoming paramount archaeological interest. Therefore, this has become pivotal importance for study type ceramic not only because number integrity pieces that found, but also its homogeneity. This multidisciplinary revealed terms economy, trade, social status Modern times main purpose paper to determine provenance technology production other glazed samples Llorens. We present results archaeometrical characterization 21 sherds, recovered excavations sample includes 11 ceramics, 4 blue-on-white tin-lead-glazed 6 plain lead productions. chemical mineralogical composition pastes ceramics have been analyzed FRX, NAA, DRX, statically compared against -17 tin-lead produced Catalan workshops time (e.g. Barcelona, Reus, Vilafranca del Penedes). data show high homogeneity pastes, as seen proto-industrial fine productions, evidencing likely Barcelonan provenance. Chemical microstructures glazes observed studied electron microscopy (SEM), Electron Probe microanalyses (EPMA) Elastic ion backscattering spectroscopy (EIBS). Good exhibits red-copper color metallic shine contain copper silver. In these cases silver nanoparticles are concentrated thin layer very near surface, meanwhile brown without distributed thicker layer, on top layer. lack those explained low concentration thick may be related longer firing and, consequently, strong efficient reduction stop diffusion into glaze.