Smalt: An under-recognized pigment commonly used in historical period China

• Published in: Journal of archaeological science Vol. 101; pp. 89 - 98
• Main Authors: Xia, Yin, Xi, Na, Huang, Jianhua, Wang, Na, Lei, Yong, Fu, Qianli, Wang, Weifeng
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.01.2019
• Subjects: archaeology; China; Chinese blue-and-white porcelain; cobalt oxide; color; Europe; fabrics; glass; polarized light microscopy; Polarized light microscopy (PLM); potassium; Raman microscopy (RM); Raman spectroscopy; scanning electron microscopy; Scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive spectrometer (SEM-EDS); Smalt; trade; China; Europe; Scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive spectrometer (SEM-EDS); Smalt; Chinese blue-and-white porcelain; Polarized light microscopy (PLM); Raman microscopy (RM)
• ISSN: 0305-4403; 1095-9238
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jas.2018.11.008

Smalt is a ground blue pigment made of potassium glass whose color comes from a small amount of cobalt oxide added during its preparation. It was very frequently used during the 15th to 19th centuries in Europe, but has by contrast been rarely mentioned or studied by Chinese researchers, despite having been identified in recent years on many Chinese antiques. This paper discusses analytical results from a selection of twenty-one samples of smalt, including wall paintings, architectural polychromy, polychrome sculptures, cave murals and textile paintings, each of which has been subject to a combination of polarized light microscopy, Raman spectroscopy and scanning electronic microscopy. This paper discusses the smalt's identification, as well as its historical uses and trade. •Smalt was used in China mainly in 16th to 18th centuries AD.•European and Chinese sample's have the same cobalt sources.