X-ray fluorescence characterization of ming-dynasty porcelain rescued from a spanish shipwreck

Abstract

A radioisotope induced X-ray fluorescence method was used to measure trace elements in Ming porcelain. Thirty pieces of blue-and-white Chinese porcelain, belonging to the Ch'eng Hua reign (AD 1465-87) and rescued from a shipwreck, were analysed along with two fake reproductions. The measurement system consisted of an Si(Li) detector, a 109Cd annular source and a personal computer with a non-linear fitting least-square program. The relative intensity ratios of manganese, cobalt, rubidium, strontium, zirconium, and niobium were determined. Rb/Sr and Mn/Co ratios between two to five and two to four respectively correspond to antique porcelain.