On the technology of production of antique red-glazed pottery (bosporan, pontic and eastern sigillata)

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Abstract

A comprehensive study of antique red-glazed pottery fragments (terra sigillata) belonging to the Pontic, Bosporan and Eastern groups has enabled the identification of distinctive technological characteristics of the slip layer and ceramic mass. The Eastern sigillata samples exhibited superior technological characteristics. The small size of the pores and inclusions is indicative of the utilisation of finely dispersed clay. Furthermore, the presence of a mixture comprising two distinct clay types was identified: a ferrous clay and a more refractory calcareous clay. The particular and likely meticulous preparation of the clay suspension for the slip layer production was indicated by the addition of a potassium-containing preparation, presumably potassium potash, to enhance the glazing of the layer, as well as an iron-containing pigment, probably ocher. The samples were fired at a temperature of approximately 1000°C. Pontic sigillata products were distinguished by the addition of potassium potash in accordance with Eastern techniques and the absence of a specially added pigment in the varnish mixture. The firing temperature was lower, falling within the range of 850–900°C.

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About the authors

A. V. Mandrykina

National Research Centre "Kurchatov Institute"

Author for correspondence.
Email: elenatereschenko@yandex.ru
Russian Federation, Moscow

D. V. Zhuravlev

National Research Centre "Kurchatov Institute"; State Historical Museum

Email: elenatereschenko@yandex.ru
Russian Federation, Moscow; Moscow

P. V. Guryeva

National Research Centre "Kurchatov Institute"

Email: elenatereschenko@yandex.ru
Russian Federation, Moscow

E. S. Kovalenko

National Research Centre "Kurchatov Institute"

Email: elenatereschenko@yandex.ru
Russian Federation, Moscow

O. A. Kondratyev

National Research Centre "Kurchatov Institute"

Email: elenatereschenko@yandex.ru
Russian Federation, Moscow

D. N. Khmelenin

National Research Centre "Kurchatov Institute"

Email: elenatereschenko@yandex.ru
Russian Federation, Moscow

E. Yu. Tereschenko

National Research Centre "Kurchatov Institute"

Email: elenatereschenko@yandex.ru
Russian Federation, Moscow

E. B. Yatsishina

National Research Centre "Kurchatov Institute"

Email: elenatereschenko@yandex.ru
Russian Federation, Moscow

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Supplementary files

Supplementary Files
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2. Fig. 1. Tomographic sections indicating pores in the volume for samples of the Eastern (a), Pontic (b) and Bosporan (c) sigillata.

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3. Fig. 2. Spread charts of RT data on the sizes and percentages of pores and inclusions.

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4. Fig. 3. RFLA maps of element distribution for samples of the Eastern (a), Pontic (b) and Bosporan (c) sigillata.

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5. Fig. 4. SEM images of the varnish layer morphology of samples of the Eastern (a), Pontic (b) and Bosporan (c) sigillata.

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6. Fig. 5. SEM/ERM mapping of element distribution for samples of the Eastern (a), Pontic (b) and Bosporan (c) sigillata.

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7. Fig. 6. TEM images of the microstructural features of the varnish layer: spinel nanocrystals in the Eastern sigillata sample (a), clay minerals in the Pontic (b) and Bosporan (c) sigillata samples.

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8. Fig. 7. TEM/ERM mapping of iron distribution in the varnish layer of samples from the Eastern (a), Pontic (b) and Bosporan (c) sigillata.

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