Spanish-Colonial majolica ceramics

Elemental Compositions of Spanish and Spanish-Colonial Majolica Ceramics in the Identification of Provenience... 

In Chapter 5, Olin and Blackman explain that differences in the chemical compositions of pottery are caused by both the use of temper and by chemical and mineralogical differences in the source of the clay. Olin and Blackman report on the continuation of their studies of majolica (a common earthenware pottery) from the Spanish Colonial period in Mexico. They used INAA as well as microscopic examination of the minerals to show that majolica produced in Spain could be distinguished from that produced in Mexico. Volcanic temper was present in the ceramics produced in Mexico, and the chemical analysis of these local ceramics suggested different production centers in Mexico. The discovery of a chemically distinct group of sherds added to the typological classifications of this pottery. 

Compositional Classification of Mexican Majolica Ceramics of the Spanish Colonial Period... 

This chapter is an attempt to refine the classification of Mexican majolica ceramics from Spanish Colonial sites by using chemical data obtained by neutron activation analysis. The ceramics examined came primarily from excavations in Mexico City and from the Santa Catalina de Guale Mission site, St. Catherines Island, GA. The majolica types from these sites are both Spanish and Mexican and date from the 16th to the late 17th century. A rationale for the chemical classification of Mexico City and Puebla production is proposed. 

Historical documents do, however, record dates for the construction of the Metropolitan Cathedral, the floor of which was laid in 1573, sealing underneath deposits of the first 50 years of colonial occupation and the earlier Pre-Colombian period. During the installation of support pylons at the cathedral in 1975 and 1976, 182 pits were sunk through the floor, allowing excavation and sampling of the early colonial deposits. Majolica ceramics from these excavations assigned to non-Spanish types are assumed to be from a Mexico City production. Despite the lack of more detailed information, the claim is made (2) that, as Mexico City was the most important city of New Spain for the entire 16th century, the earliest demands of the market for better dishes must have been met by local craftsmen. 

The study of tin-glazed ceramics (majolica) by neutron activation analysis was previously reported (J). The sherds studied in that research were from Spanish-Colonial sites in the New World a small number of sherds came as well from a suburb of Seville in Spain known as Triana. Although a small amount of x-ray diffraction and petrographic analysis was carried out in conjunction with that research, a number of questions remained which suggested that a much more extensive study... 

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