Further study of sources of the imported cobalt-blue pigment used on Jingdezhen porcelain from late 13 to early 15 centuries

Based on the conclusion of modern scientific analysis: the cobalt-blue pigment applied on Jingdezhen official porcelain during Yuan Dynasty and prior to Xuande reign of Ming Dynasty (1271―1425) contains high iron and low manganese con- tents, and the cobalt during Xuande and after Xuande periods (after 1426) of Ming Dynasty contains high manganese and low iron contents, in combination with the traditional archaeological method, the related historical textual records were in- vestigated and analyzed, the imported cobalt employed on Jingdezhen official porcelain was studied comprehensively, systematically and logically. In fact, 'Su Ma Li Qing' (Samarra-blue) and 'Su Bo Ni Qing' (Sumatra-blue) are definitely different cobalt ores originated in different places, because of their very similar translitera- tions in Chinese, the confusion has appeared in ancient books for more than 400 years, which considered 'Su Ma Li Qing' and 'Su Bo Ni Qing' as the same co- balt-blue pigment. In this article the mistake was corrected, the possible producing places and the approximate eras of the two pigments imported to China and used at Jingdezhen were also suggested.

明嘉靖时期藩王用瓷来源考

以考古发现的嘉靖时期藩王居址及墓葬所出土的青花瓷器为主要研究对象,进而判断其生产年代,在此基础上,结合器物纹饰、青花用料等特征进行来源分析。在以往青花瓷器生产的年代判断上仅是以纪年款识为依据,而本文结合《江西大志》等历史文献对青花用料的记载,再辅助以藩王生活的具体时代,综合这几项因素对出土瓷器进行断代。并在此基础上,与弘治、正德时期藩王用瓷的装饰图案相比,发现其图案的个性特征。结合器物的款识,再推断是否为藩王定制的产品,并分析嘉靖时期藩王的用瓷主要为民窑定烧,这既不同于官搭民烧的产品,也与民窑生产的普通商品相区别。