Work

Characterization of Çeşni Tiles from the Tekfur Palace Excavations by Portable X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometry

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: After the 2010s, numerous examples of çeşni fragments—used as test pieces to evaluate color performance and glaze compatibility—were unearthed during the İznik Tile Kilns Excavation (Bursa), while comparable sherds were also recovered from excavations at Tekfur Palace in Istanbul. Considering historical evidence indicating the involvement of İznik craftsmen in tile production at Tekfur Palace, this study investigates the technological compatibility of these çeşni examples with İznik production traditions. To this end, glazes, decorative pigments, and ceramic bodies were analyzed using portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF) spectroscopy. The chemical composition data reveal the presence of two principal production groups. The first group consists of tiles with stonepaste bodies, low lead oxide contents in the glaze (

Source: ITU Journal of Metallurgy and Materials Engineering

DOI: 10.65774/itummej.1845905

Author: Gülsu Şimşek Franci

Institution: Yıldız Technical University

Language: English

Topic: Cultural Heritage Materials Analysis

Subfield: Archeology

Field: Arts and Humanities

Domain: Social Sciences

Open Access status: bronze

Funder: Türkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Araştırma Kurumu

Award: G5194486100