On-Site Identification of Early BOTTGER Red Stoneware Made at Meissen Using Portable XRF: 1, Body Analysis

A selection of 50 red stoneware objects, polished, unpolished, partially polished or glazed, from different collections (Departement du Patrimoine et des Collections de la Cite de la Ceramique, Sevres, France; Art Institute of Chicago; a private collection), attributed to 18th century Bottger, 20th century Meissen (Saxony) and Chinese productions have been analyzed with a portable X-ray fluorescence spectrometer in museum/collector rooms. The comparison of major (Si, Al), minor (K,Ca,Fe), and trace (Ti, Mn, Zr, Rb, Sr) element ratios was made to assist with the classification of the different artifacts as a function of their production technology and raw materials. The results are discussed in light of historical reports on the characteristics of Bottger production and criteria of identification are proposed to distinguish between classical Bottger (early 18th century) and other productions.