Decorative application with lion’s image from the excavations near village Mizhgirya (Volyn region)

The article is explaining a unique bronze application, which was discovered during the excavation season 2017 on Mizhgirya-3 site – two-layered settlement of Early Iron Age and Age of Principalities. This item was uncovered amid the upper earth sediments, largely destroyed by plowing, thus making it impossible to determine the exact chronological interpretation. Based on the analysis of creative stylistics and technological features of this piece of craftsmanship, an excessive pursuit was commenced for the parallels in the imageries and designs of decorative ornaments, particularly inherent to Ancient Rus culture. It includes various examples of zoomorphic motifs, lion’s pictures as well, in the church architectural décor and on similar samples of ornamented jewelry. The closest stylistic equivalence to the application’s image from Mizhgirya-3 site was found among decorative ceramic tiles collected during the excavations of ancient Halych hill-fort, some of them holding the image of a lion or a lioness. Particular attention was turned towards the searches of analogies among jewelry, applying specific techniques of openwork metal casting, like some items from the excavations of the Ancient Rus’ major cities of Halych and Novgorod, found inside cultural sediments from the 12th – to the 15th centuries. Comparative analysis of various objects, either depicting similar visual motifs or applying the distinctive metal casting technique, made it possible to verify the application’s origin at the later stages Age of Principalities cultural evolution, especially the one determined by the advance of Galicia and Volhynia state. Henceforth, the discovery of the items became more relevant with the upper chronological layer of Mizhgirya-3 site, which was dated by the 12th – 13th centuries after the evaluation of supplemented materials. Key words: bronze decorative application, openwork metal casting, Age of Principalities, zoomorphic motif, «lion passant».

Decorative Crackle Ceramic Glazes, Based on Zirconium Silicate with Firing Temperature Range 980°C – 1050°C

Тhe research article concerns the creation of decorative ceramic glazes with a specific surface vision and firing temperature range between 980оС – 1050оС. The glazes which are subject of this study have a specific texture, characterized by the assembling of the glaze into segments of different shapes and sizes, resulting in stripping of the lower layer (ceramic body or engobe). The purpose of the study is: (1) To create fragmented glazes using micronized zirconium silicate, which can be applied in the temperature range 980°C - 1050°C, suitable for red baked ceramics and chalk faience; The glazes thus created should have a clear texture and the ability to be tinted in different colors. This is а topic of present interest, as there are no glazes for ceramics with a similar structure developed on the basis of zirconium silicate for red baked ceramics and chalk faience so far. The emphasis is put entirely on decorative glazes, which are a combination of technical parameters and artistic techniques, the totality of which influences their specific look.

Review: Revision Of The Textbook “Decorative Glazes – Art And Technology” by Dr. Eng. Vasil Harizanov

This textbook is based on many years of practice, research and teaching work of the author in the field of decorative ceramic glazes. It is an original intersection of theory and artistic approach. It is a kind of manual, fully adapted to the needs of ceramists and designers of ceramic products. The theory of vitreous coating and the practice of creating decorative glazes is brought together. Both the basic properties of glaze melt and the variety of raw materials used in modern practice are presented as well as useful guidelines for the right choice of material and the technological process. Аn Information about the regimes of thermal treatment is also provided. The testing methods used in glaze production technology are included as well. Thanks to its scientific and practical orientation, the textbook can be used as a comprehensive methodological guide in the process of obtaining new glazing coatings or modifying existing ones. It is аdressed to students who are trained in the specialties “Design of Porcelain and Glass” and “Ceramics” at the National Academy of Art, as well as for all who are interested in the technology of vitreous silicate coatings.

Investigation of the Decorative Ceramics of Matrix Structure from Iron-Ore Waste with Vanadium Component Addition

Results of the study of bulk coloring of decorative ceramic materials with matrix structure based on the slurry part of the iron ore tailings by vanadium slag additive are represented. Chemical, mineralogical and granulometric compositions of the raw materials are presented. The characteristic of their ceramic-technological properties is given. A new method of obtaining decorative ceramic specimens with matrix structure is described. The dependence of physical and mechanical properties and ceramic specimen color form the vanadium slag amount in charge is established. The results of studies of the matrix structure of decorative ceramic specimens with different contents of the coloring additive are represented.

Structure and properties of ceramic brick colored by manganese-containing wastes

The given paper investigates the influence of manganese-containing wastes on bulk coloring and physical and mechanical properties of wall ceramic materials with matrix structure. Conventional research methods to study physical and mechanical properties of ceramic specimens were used in the present study. The structure and phase state of decorative ceramic materials were investigated by means of physical-chemical analysis. Authors suggested the model to form coloring layer in ceramic matrix composites based on argillaceous raw materials and coloring pigment. Macrostructure was studied on ceramic samples manufactured according to the developed method from clay loam of moderate plasticity and wastes of manganese mining. The paper provides results of pilot testing on production of colored ceramic brick. It was found that incorporation of coloring component does not decrease strength properties of ceramic matrix materials. Authors defined the palette and color code for decorative ceramic specimens manufactured with different content of coloring component of manganese mining wastes according to RGB color codes chart.

Development of Decorative Ceramic Glaze from Palm Fiber Ash

Palm fiber ashes are the industrial waste which is abundantly available in Malaysia. In this study, palm fiber ash were used to produce decorative ceramic glaze. The content of minerals in the palm fiber ash were analyzed by using X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF), respectively. The formulations of glaze with different composition of raw materials were studied by adding different amount of calcium carbonate and feldspar. The glaze slurries then coated on ball clay body bisque which was obtained from Kg. Dengir and sintered at 1200 ° C for two hours.The glaze was characterized in term of its physical appearance such as type of glaze and colour. Both glossy and matte glaze produced by using different composition of glaze formulation. The presence of silica minerals (79 %) contributed to glossy surface to the glaze. It is clearly seen that the glossiness of glaze improved by increasing amount of feldspar. Feldspar acts as fluxing agent which form a glassy phase at lower temperature. In addition, the presence of small amount of iron oxide (2.2 wt.%) contributed to brown colour of glaze. An addition of calcium carbonate give effect to the colour of glaze, which change from brown to yellow colour as amount of CaCO3 increased. As a conclusion, the palm fibre ashes were highly suitable to supply abundant and cheap raw materials to produce decorative ceramic glaze.

Thin coatings of ceramics: some new developments in France and in Europe

ABSTRACTThe aim of this paper is to focus attention on some current developments in the physical examination of decorative ceramic thin coatings performed in France and in Europe. Thanks to the recent progress in instrumentation and the implication of material science teams, significant new results were obtained concerning the finishing coatings of ceramic ware, and specially regarding the luster decorations of Islamic medieval potteries and the high gloss coatings of Greek and Roman ceramics.