Scientific and simulation study of the manufacturing technology of the ancient Chinese rare Hare’s Fur glazed bowl

• Published in: Journal of the European Ceramic Society 2024-03, Vol.44 (3), p.1856-1863
• Main Authors: Li, Zhuopeng, Liu, Jinyan, Jiang, Xiaochenyang, Cui, Jianfeng
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Ancient Chinese porcelain; Dongxi street site; Manufacturing technology; Red Hare’s Fur; ε-Fe2O3
• ISSN: 0955-2219; 1873-619X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jeurceramsoc.2023.10.035

The red Hare’s Fur glazed bowls of the Jin and Yuan periods(1115–1368 A.D.) were analysed by optical microscopy, EDXRF, XRD, SEM-EDS, Micro-Raman spectroscopy and thermal expansion instrument. We also conduct simulation experiments at different temperatures and atmospheres. The results revealed that the Fe2O3 content of the Hare’s Fur glaze was about 5%. ε-Fe2O3 was found in the crystals on the glaze surface. The ε-Fe2O3 was all found on the rim of the bowl and it can exceed 10 µm in size. They were fired at about 1250 °C in a reducing atmosphere. The simulation experiments showed that ε-Fe2O3 was formed in the cooling stage and needed to be held for a period of time at about 1160–1190 °C. The presence of mullite will promote the formation of ε-Fe2O3. This is because the Al-substitution effect changes the crystal structure of ε-Fe2O3 and makes it more stable. •The red Hare’s Fur glazed bowls from the Dongxi Street site were fired at about 1250°C in a reducing atmosphere.•The ε-Fe2O3 in the red Hare’s Fur bowls was all found on the rim of the bowl and it can exceed 10 microns in size.•The ε-Fe2O3 was formed in the cooling stage and needed to be held for a period of time at about 1160-1190°C.•The presence of mullite at the rim will promote the formation of ε-Fe2O3.