Characterization of microcrystals in some ancient glass beads from china by means of confocal Raman microspectroscopy

A total of ten ancient colored glass beads were analyzed by confocal Raman microspectroscopy for the non‐destructive identification of microcrystals within them. These beads were excavated from different regions of China, including Xinjiang, Henan, Hubei and Guangxi Provinces, and were dated mainly...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of Raman spectroscopy 2013-04, Vol.44 (4), p.643-649
Main Authors: Zhao, H.X., Li, Q.H., Liu, S., Gan, F.X.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
ancient glass beads
Antimony
Beads
China
colorants
Confocal
confocal Raman microspectroscopy
COPPER OXIDE
CRYSTAL STRUCTURE
CUPRITE
CUPROUS OXIDE
Glass
GLASSES
Microcrystals
Opacifiers
provenance study
Tin
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Summary:A total of ten ancient colored glass beads were analyzed by confocal Raman microspectroscopy for the non‐destructive identification of microcrystals within them. These beads were excavated from different regions of China, including Xinjiang, Henan, Hubei and Guangxi Provinces, and were dated mainly from the 10th century BC to the 9th century AD. For the first time, either tin or antimony‐based opacifiers/colorants including calcium antimonate (CaSb2O6, Ca2Sb2O7), bindheimite (Pb2Sb2O7), lead tin yellow type II (PbSn1‐xSixO3) and cassiterite (SnO2) were identified in nine samples. In addition, other crystalline phases such as cuprite (Cu2O), α‐wollastonite (CaSiO3), diopside (CaMgSi2O6), feldspar (KAlSi3O8), calcite (CaCO3) and quartz (SiO2) were also detected. Another interesting phenomenon first observed in this study was the coexistence of Sn‐ and Sb‐based opacifiers/colorants in one mosaic bead from Guangxi. The possibility to use Sb‐ and Sn‐based opacifiers/colorants for dating and provenance study of ancient glass found in China is discussed briefly. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. A total of ten ancient glasses were analyzed by confocal Raman microspectroscopy for the non‐destructive identification of microcrystals within them. For the first time, tin and antimony‐based opacifiers/colorants were identified in nine samples as well as other crystalline phases. Another interesting phenomenon first observed was the coexistence of Sb‐ and Sn‐based opacifiers/colorants in one mosaic bead from Guangxi. The possibility to use Sb‐ and Sn‐based opacifiers/colorants for dating and provenance study of ancient glass found in China is discussed briefly.
ISSN:0377-0486
1097-4555
DOI:10.1002/jrs.4239