EDXRF studies on blue and white Chinese Jingdezhen porcelain samples from the Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties

The chemical compositions of blue and white Chinese Jingdezhen porcelain samples were analysed using energy-dispersive x-ray fluorescenceorescence (EDXRF) techniques. The results were subjected to multivariate statistical analysis. Different compositional patterns were found for specimens from different periods (Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties) and for different intended usage (imperial or common). The reasons for these variations are discussed. From the analysis a discriminant function is generated that is capable of classifying samples with high efficiency. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.