Analysis of Syrian lustre pottery (12th-14th centuries AD)

Abstract

Lustre is a product of skilled artisans and its production was spread to different regions by the migration of artisans. Each lustre production has its own peculiarities not only in the composition and microstructure of the lustre but also in the paste and glaze compositions, processing and firing conditions. Syrian lustre is particularly interesting as it shows technological innovations with respect to the earlier Abbasid and Fatimid lustre productions with the use of transparent tin-free glazes (often alkaline) and stonepastes. In particular, the use of alkaline glazes required the introduction of technological novelties in order to increase the chances to produce a metallic-like shining lustre. We present first studies made on the lustre layer of early Syrian productions, namely Tell Minis (first half 12th century AD), Raqqa and related wares (second half of the 12th century AD and first third of the 13th century AD) and Damascus (second half of the 13th century AD and 14th century AD).