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

Abstract 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 TFe 2 O 3 , Cr, Sr and Zr, and more K 2 O 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.