Lapis lazuli as unexpected blue pigment in Iranian Lâjvardina ceramics

Raman analysis of an ancient ewer (Iran, 13th century) belonging to the Lâjvardina blue glazed ceramics shows that the ultramarine colour results from the unexpected deposit of a lazurite-rich slip at the interface between the body and a cobalt-containing lime-rich glaze. This confirms the use of Lâjvard (lapis lazuli) as reported in an old alchemist's treatise (Abu'l Qâsim Kâshâni, 14th century). Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.