Chromogenic mechanisms of overglaze yellow pigment produced in Jingdezhen imperial kilns during the Ming dynasty

This study employed energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and ultraviolet–visible-near infrared spectrophotometry to analyse eleven overglaze pigment porcelain specimens. The results show that the colouring element of the overglaze yellow pigment of Jingdezhen imperial kilns in the Ming dynasty is Fe₂O₃, and most of Fe₂O₃ can be dissolved in the lead glaze in an ionic state to make the lead glaze yellow. The chromogenic of the overglazed yellow pigment primarily depends on the concentration and coordination field of the colouring ions. The connection between the internal structure and the appearance of the overglaze yellow pigment is discussed.