The fast and direct characterization of blue-and-white porcelain glaze from Jingdezhen by laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

Abstract

This study evaluated the classification of blue-and-white porcelains of Jingdezhen during the Ming Dynasties based on elemental concentrations measured by laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS). The blue-and-white porcelains of the Ming Dynasties are subdivided into three periods: Hongwu (HW), Xuande (XD) and Wanli (WL), representing the early Ming, middle Ming and late Ming Dynasties, according to Fe–Mn–Co distribution and Co content. We propose Fe/Mn ratio and Co content in the light-blue areas as criteria for the classification of blue-and-white porcelains of Jingdezhen. The reference values for Fe/Mn of HW, XD and WL are 11.9 ± 0.39, 2.31 ± 0.54, and 7.09 ± 2.07 μg g⁻¹, while the cobalt concentrations of HW, XD and WL porcelains are <100 μg g⁻¹, 500–600 μg g⁻¹ and >2500 μg g⁻¹, respectively. Other elements including Li, B, Mn, Ni, Cr, Ho, Pb, Th, U and rare earth elements can also assist in the classification of the blue-and-white porcelain. Further measurements of more blue-and-white porcelains need to be analyzed using LA-ICP-MS to get more elemental concentrations and create a statistical database for blue-and-white porcelain identification.