Color variations in 13th century hispanic lustre – An EXAFS study

Microprobe EXAFS analysis of lustre decoration from a late 13th century Hispano–Moresque potsherd has been used to examine the metallic oxide to metal ratios in different shaded copper lustre finishes. A single specimen from 13th century Paterna, exhibiting typical red and green colorations, is found to contain different copper/silver ratios depending on the color. EXAFS has been used to determine the local atomic environment of the copper and reveals a corresponding variation in the metal to oxide ratio of the copper content which is related to the visual effect.