Materials and technique of lajvardina ceramics from the thirteenth to fourteenth century Iran

Studied by micro X-ray fluorescence (mu-XRF), scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (SEM-EDS) and micro-Raman spectroscopy (mu-Raman), samples from thirteenth to fourteenth century lajvardina ceramics from various places in Iran (Takht-i Sulayman, Yazd, Sultaniya, Kashan and Rayy) showed tin oxide, haematite, chromite, manganese oxide and gold leaf have been employed on blue, turquoise and white alkali-lime and lead-alkali base glazes. It is suggested that while the overglaze decorations are metal oxides in a mixture with little amounts of their base glaze, the blue and turquoise inglaze decorations are most probably achieved by firing Co- and Cu-coloured powdered frits on a non-fired powdered base glaze, respectively. In addition, this article provides insight into the gilding decorations on lajvardina tiles by replicating several gilded samples. It is argued that a low-temperature firing has been employed for executing the overglaze lajvardina decorations on a pre-fired base glaze.

Automated summary

Studying samples from thirteenth to fourteenth century lajvardina ceramics in Iran using micro X-ray fluorescence, scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry, and micro-Raman spectroscopy revealed the use of tin oxide, haematite, chromite, manganese oxide, and gold leaf on various glazes. The article suggests that overglaze decorations consist of metal oxides mixed with small amounts of the base glaze, while blue and turquoise ingrained decorations are achieved by firing colored powdered frits on a non-fired base glaze. The study also examines gilding decorations on lajvardina tiles through the replication of several gilded samples, indicating the use of low-temperature firing for overglaze lajvardina decorations on a pre-fired base glaze.