Characterization of Tableware from Fábrica de Loiça de Sacavém—Linking Analytical and Documental Research
Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: Fábrica de Loiça de Sacavém (ca. 1858–1994) was among the first to produce white earthenware in Portugal, becoming one of the country’s leading ceramic manufacturers during the late 19th to early 20th centuries. Research on white earthenware has accompanied the growing interest in post-industrial archaeology but is still poorly explored compared to more ancient ceramic productions. This study focused on the ceramic body, glazes, and colourants of tableware produced by Fábrica de Loiça de Sacavém during the first 50 years of its activity (1859–1910). A multi-analytical approach was selected to investigate the chemical and mineralogical composition of the ceramic body, glaze, and pigments using optical microscopy, variable-pressure scanning electron microscope energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (VP-SEM-EDS), μ-Raman spectroscopy, μ-X-ray Diffraction (μ-XRD), and reflectance spectroscopy (hyperspectral image analysis). The studied tableware was produced with a Ca-poor siliceous–aluminous white earthenware ceramic body covered with transparent alkali lead or lead borosilicate glaze, and most colourants were complex Cr-based pigments. These results are in agreement with the little documental evidence from this period found in the manufacturer’s archives.
Source: Minerals
DOI: 10.3390/min14030324
Institutions: University of Évora, City University of Macau, Centro de Investigação em Materiais, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, National Laboratory of Energy and Geology, Câmara Municipal de Loures, Direção Geral do Património Cultural, Republica Portuguesa Direção-Geral do Património Cultural, Ghent University
Language: English
Subfield: Archeology (arts and humanities)
Field: Arts and Humanities
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,728
Awards: G1083028043, G1152344396, G1325058179, Vidro e Cerâmica para as Artes, G2550127433, Instituto de Nanoestruturas, Nanomodelação e Nanofabricação, G3502101127, Laboratório HERCULES - Herança Cultural, Estudos e Salvaguarda, Laboratório Associado para a Investigação e Inovação em Património, Artes, Sustentabilidade e Território, G404260654, G4109603334, G5454278309, G5833470273, PROGnostic: PRedictive mOdels for the control of lichen Growth on built heritage, Laboratório HERCULES - Herança Cultural, Estudos e Salvaguarda, G6997658380, G7513441900, Vidro e Cerâmica para as Artes, G8756029925, G8911869519
OpenAlex ID: W4393045684