The Mineralogy of Opaque Ceramic Glazes - The Islamic World and Europe from the 7th - 16th Centuries CE

Explore the mineralogical aspects of opaque ceramic glazes from the Islamic world and Europe spanning the 7th to 16th centuries CE in this 22-minute talk by Michael Tite of Oxford University. Delve into the origins of glass production in Egypt and the Near East, tracing the development of earliest glazed ceramics to the artistic and technological pinnacle of Islamic ceramic production with Iznik ware. Examine SEM cross-sections and backscatter mode images of Islamic opaque glazed ceramics, learning about the production techniques and spread of opaque yellow and white glaze technology. Discover the introduction of opaque white glaze technology in Europe and its culmination in Italian Maiolica Istoriato. This presentation, part of the Mineralogical Society of America's Centennial Symposium, offers valuable insights into applied mineralogy as a tool for researching the provenance and technology of ancient ceramics.