Comparison of celadon from the Yaozhou and Xicun kilns in the Northern Song Dynasty of China by X-ray fluorescence and microscopy

The Xicun kiln is a typical kiln for firing porcelains for export, including celadon, which imitates the products of the Yaozhou kilns. In this paper, 10 pieces of celadon from the Xicun kiln and 8 celadon samples from the Yaozhou kiln were analysed in situ non-destructively by energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence microprobe and optical microscopy. The results indicated that the body of the Xicun celadon contained less TFe2O3, Cr, Sr and Zr, and more K2O and Rb than that of the Yaozhou celadon. Also, the glaze of the Xicun celadon contained lower quantities of Sr and higher Rb; thus, these elements could be employed as relevant markers for the non-destructive discrimination of the provenance of Xicun celadon. In addition, the thicker glaze, the numerous bubbles, and the existence of the middle layer could be used as auxiliary indicators for a micro-structural distinction between samples from the Yaozhou kiln and those originating from Xicun.

► Celadon of the Yaozhou and Xicun kilns were analyzed by EDXRF and Microscopy.
► Body of the Xicun celadon contained less TFe2O3, Cr, Sr and Zr, and more K2O and Rb.
► Glaze of the Xicun celadon contained lower quantities of Sr and higher Rb.
► Celadon of Yaozhou has the thicker glaze, bubbles in the glaze, and the middle layer.