Study on the ceramic wares from the Leizhou kiln of the Tang and Song dynasties

The Leizhou kiln in Guangdong Province was ever famous for porcelain manufacturing. High-quality porcelain products were produced for export, a core business of the Maritime trade. However, there has been little research on the Leizhou kiln in the past, particularly, regarding the manufacturing technology for porcelain in local areas. In this work, by using portable X-ray fluorescence (p-XRF), optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and dilatometry (DIL), the samples from the Leizhou kiln dating back to the Tang and Song dynasties were systematically analyzed. The major emphasis was placed on analysis of the technological characteristics employed in the manufacturing process from the aspects of the raw materials, microstructure and firing temperature, etc. As indicated by the research findings, during the Tang Dynasty, the main raw materials used for the body were locally sourced porcelain stone alone, while the porcelain stone mixed with sort a kaolinite could have been added to the body during the Song Dynasty. The body of the samples from the Tang Dynasty contained low levels of Fe2O3. The body of the samples from the Song Dynasty were more compact, so the raw materials used for the body were more refine and had been carefully processed. The samples from these two periods all belonged to transparent glaze and calcium glaze. Moreover, the polychrome ceramics from the Song Dynasty were typically of high-temperature over-glazed craftsmanship, and the brown color was caused by iron ions. The “dragon kiln” and sagger were used both in the Tang and Song dynasties. The firing temperature of the sample was approsximately 1080 °C during the Tang Dynasty and 1150 °C during the Song Dynasty.