On-Site Identification of Early Bottger Red Stoneware Using Portable XRF/Raman Instruments: 2, Glaze & Gilding Analysis

Twenty-one glazed red stoneware objects, with gilded or gold-painted decor from different collections (Cite de la Ceramique, Sevres, France; Art Institute of Chicago, USA; a private collection) attributed to 18th century Bottger, Meissen (Saxony) have been analyzed with a portable X-ray fluorescence spectrometer (XRF) and portable or fixed Raman micro-spectrometer in laboratory/museum/collector rooms. Analysis was aimed at gaining a deeper understanding of the technology of production of the gilding and black glaze, to augment what is known from the limited literature. Three different techniques to obtain a golden decor emerged as a result of this study: (i) a true gilding with gold, (ii) gold with mercury, and (iii) an alloy of copper and zinc.