| Abstract: | Optical and scanning electron microscopy, electron microprobe analysis and X-ray diffraction are used to determine the composition and microstructure of the bodies and glazes of Chinese porcelain of the Yuan dynasty from Jingdezhen, as well as samples of porcelain-stone and glaze-stone from the same region. The original mineralogical compositions of the porcelain bodies and glazes are estimated. The results indicate that the yingqing porcelain bodies were made using a kaolinised porcelain-stone whereas the underglaze blue porcelain bodies were prepared by the addition of kaolin to a kaolinite-free porcelain-stone. In both cases, the glazes were made by mixing ‘glaze-ash’ (i.e. lime) with the porcelain stone used to make the bodies. |
