Abstract
The present work describes an analytical study performed on several pieces of Iranian Ilkhanate glazed ceramics from the Takht-e Soleyman palace (Iran, thirteenth century). Several advanced instrumental techniques, including pyrolysis–gas chromatography–mass spectrometry, Fourier transform IR spectroscopy, light microscopy, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy–X-ray microanalysis and voltammetry of microparticles, were used. The results obtained led to identification of the chemical and mineralogical composition of the pastes and glazes and the colouring agents. Corrosion processes associated with the extreme burial conditions in which the pieces remained for centuries were characterized in some areas of the glazes. A drying oil was identified as the main component of the organic material that was used as the adhesive for the decorative gold sheets applied on the glazes. This finding is in good agreement with traditional recipes. Interestingly, this drying oil exhibits an unusual composition as the gold sheet preserved it from external ageing agents (light, atmosphere, etc.).

Tiles with cobalt blue glaze from the indoor decoration of the Takht-e Soleyman Palace (13th-15th centuries, Iran). a: 20986-8, b: 20986-10 and c:21300a
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.






References
Pérez-Arantegui J, Soto M, Castillo JR (1999) J Archaeol Sci 26:935–941
Pérez-Arantegui J, Uruñuela MI, Castillo JR (1996) J Archaeol Sci 23:903–914
Roldán C, Coll J, Ferrero J (2006) J Cult Herit 7:134–138
Ricci C, Miliani C, Rosi F, Brunetti BG, Sgamellotti A (2007) J Non-Cryst Solids 353:1054–1059
Čechák T, Hložek M, Musílek L, Trojek T (2007) Nucl Instrum Methods Phys Res B 263:54–57
Zucchiatti A, Pascual C, Ynsa MD, Castelli L, Recio P, Criado E, Valle FJ, Climent-Font A (2008) J Eur Ceram Soc 28:757–762
Zhu D, Cheng HR, Lin JW, Yang FY (2006) Nucl Instrum Methods Phys Res B 249:633–637
Lin EK, Yu YC, Wang CW, Liu TY, Wu CM, Chen KM, Lin SS (1999) Nucl Instrum Methods Phys Res B 150:581–585
Doménech A, Sánchez S, Doménech MT, Gimeno JV, Bosch F, Yusa DJ, Saurí MC (2002) Electroanalysis 14:685–696
Doménech A, Doménech MT, Costa V (2009) In: Scholz F (ed) Monographs in electrochemistry. Berlin, Springer
Doménech A, Doménech MT, Moya M, Gimeno JV, Bosch F (2000) Electroanalysis 12:120–127
Doménech-Carbó A, Doménech-Carbó MT, Osete-Cortina L, Gimeno-Adelantado JV, Sánchez-Ramos S, Bosch-Reig F, Mateo-Castro R (2002) Talanta 56:161–174
Doménech A, Doménech MT, Osete L (2001) Electroanalysis 13:927–935
Doménech A, Doménech MT (2005) Electroanalysis 17:1959–1979
Doménech-Carbó MT, Doménech-Carbó A, Yusá-Marco DJ, Ahmadi H (2008) J Cult Herit 9:e50–e54
Pérez-Arantegui J, Resano M, García-Ruiz E, Vanhaecke F, Roldán C, Ferrero J, Coll J (2008) Talanta 74:1271–1280
Catalano IM, Genga A, Laganara C, Laviano R, Mongone A, Marano D, Traini A (2007) J Archaeol Sci 34:503–511
Pradell T, Molera J, Smith AD, Tite MS (2008) J Archaeol Sci 35:1202–1215
Huntley DL, Spielman KA, Habitch-Mauche JA, Herhahn CL, Flegal A (2007) J Archaeol Sci 34:1135–1147
Roqué J, Molera J, Sciau P, Pantos E, Vendrell-Saz M (2006) J Eur Ceram Soc 26:3813–3824
Colomban P, Ngockhoi D, Quanglien N, Roche C, Sagon G (2004) J Cult Herit 5:149–155
Duffy KI, Calson JH, Swann CP (2002) Nucl Instrum Methods Phys Res B 189:369–372
Molera J, Vendrell-Saz M, Pérez-Arantegui J (2001) J Archaeol Sci 28:331–340
Scholz F, Meyer B (1989) In: Bard AJ, Rubinstein I (eds) Electroanalytical chemistry, a series of advances, vol 20. Dekker, New York, pp 1–87
Grygar T, Marken F, Schröder U, Scholz F (2002) Collect Czech Chem Commun 67:163–208
Scholz F, Schröder U, Gulaboski R (2005) Electrochemistry of immobilized particles and droplets. Springer, Berlin
Kreimeyer R (1987) Appl Clay Sci 2:175–183
Caiger Smith A (1991) Lustre pottery. New Amsterdam Books, New York
Fernández Navarro JM (1991) El vidrio. CSIC, Madrid, pp 546–547
al-Saad Z (2002) J Archaeol Sci 29:803–810
Molera J, Vendrell-Saz M (2001) J Archaeol Sci 28:331–340
Mason RB, Tite MS (1997) Archaeometry 39:41, El vidrio 58
Kleinmann B (1986) In: Proceedings of the 24th international archaeometry symposium. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, pp 73–84
Mason RB, Tite MS (1994) Archaeometry 36:77–91
Domenech-Carbó A, Domenech-Carbó MT (2005) Electroanalysis 17:1959–1969
Doménech-Carbó MT, Aura-Castro E, Lopez-Ballester E, Peris-Martínez V,Gimeno-Adelantado JV, Bosch-Reig F (1998) In: Proceedings of interim meeting ICOM-CC Glass, Ceramics and Related Materials Working Group Committee, Paterakis AB ed, EVTEK Institute of Art and Design, Vantaa pp 97–105
Doménech A, Doménech MT, Edwards HGM (2008) Anal Chem 80:2704–2716
Doménech-Carbó MT, Aura-Castro E, López-Ballester E, Péris-Martínez V, Gimeno-Adelantado V, Bosch-Reig F (1998) In: Paterakis A (ed) Glass ceramics and related materials. ICOM Committee for Conservation, Vantaa, pp 97–105
Macquet C, Thomassin JH (1992) Appl Clay Sci 7:17–31
Cox GA, Ford BA (1993) J Mater Sci 28:5637–5647
Silvestri A, Molin G, Salviulo G (2005) J Non-Cryst Solids 351:1338–1349
Holakouei P (2008) Conservation of cultural and historical properties. Master thesis, University of Art, Tehran (in Persian)
Vahab Nejad J (2000) Conservation and restoration of cultural properties. BA thesis, Art University of Isfahan (in Persian)
Kashani A (1969) In: Afshar I (ed) Arayes-al javaher va nafayes-al arayes, 1st edn. National Heritage Community, Tehran (in Persian)
Aghajani H (1983) ASAR J Art 7–9 (in Persian)
Van den Berg JDJ, Van den Berg KJ, Boon JJ (2001) Prog Org Coat 41:143–155
Van den Brink OF, Eijkel GB, Boon JJ (2000) Thermochim Acta 365:1–23
Mayumi I, Koyano M (1991) Int Biodeterior Biodegrad 28:23–35
Janda K (2005) Int Biodeterior Biodegrad 55:149–152
Kinderlerer JL (1993) Int Biodeterior Biodegrad 32:213–224
Kinderlerer JL (1994) Int Biodeterior Biodegrad 33:345–354
Chiavari G, Fabbri D, Prati S (2001) Chromatographia 53:311–314
Bonaduce I, Colombini MP (2004) J Chromatogr A 1028:297–306
Capitelli F, Learner T, Chiantore O (2002) J Anal Appl Pyrolysis 63:339–348
Capitelli F (2004) J Anal Appl Pyrolysis 71:405–415
Osete-Cortina L, Doménech-Carbó MT (2006) J Anal Appl Pyrolysis 76:144–153
Chiavari G, Galletti FS, GC MR (1991) J Anal Appl Pyrolysis 20:253–261
Shedrinsky AM, Stone RE, Baer NS (1991) J Anal Appl Pyrol 20:229–238
Pastorova I, van der Berg KJ, Boon JJ, Verhoeven JW (1997) J Anal Appl Pyrolysis 43:41–57
Challinor JM (1996) J Anal Appl Pyrolysis 37:185–197
Ling H, Maiqian N, Chiavari G, Mazzeo R (2007) Microchem J 85:347–353
Mills JS, White R (1994) The organic chemistry of museum objects. Butterworth-Heinemann, Oxford
Cappitelli F, Learner T, Chiantore O (2002) J Anal Appl Pyrolysis 63:339–348
Scalarone D, Lazzari M, Chiantore O (2001) J Anal Appl Pyrolysis 58–59:503–512
Colombini MP, Modugno F, Giacomelli M, Francesconi S (1999) J Chromatogr A 846:113–124
Fjällström P, Andersson B, Nilsson C, Andersson K (2002) Ind Crops Prod 16:173–184
Colombini MP, Modugno F, Menicagli E, Fuoco R, Giacomelli A (2000) Microchem J 67:291–300
Colombini MP, Modugno F, Fuoco R, Tognazzi A (2002) Microchem J 73:175–185
Colombini MP, Giachi G, Iozzo M, Ribechini E (2009) J Archaeol Sci 36:1488–1495
Arantegui JP, Ribechini E, Cepriá G, Degano I, Colombini MP, Peralta JP, Palomar EO (2009) Trends Anal Chem 28:1019–1028
Ribechini E, Modugno F, Baraldi C, Baraldi P, Colombini MP (2008) Talanta 74:555–561
Acknowledgements
Financial support from the Spanish I+D+I MICINN project CTQ2008-06727-C03-01 and 02/BQU supported by ERDEF funds as well as the Generalitat Valenciana I+D project ACOMP/2009/171 is gratefully acknowledged. The authors would like to thank Manuel Planes i Insausti and José Luis Moya, technical supervisors responsible for the Electron Microscopy Service of the Universitat Politécnica de València.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Osete-Cortina, L., Doménech-Carbó, M.T., Doménech, A. et al. Multimethod analysis of Iranian Ilkhanate ceramics from the Takht-e Soleyman palace. Anal Bioanal Chem 397, 319–329 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-009-3413-5
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-009-3413-5