Scientific and Simulation Study of the Manufacturing Technology of the Ancient Chinese Rare Hare’s Fur Glazed Bowl

The red Hare’s Fur glazed bowls of the Jin and Yuan periods(1115-1368 A.D.) were analysed by optical microscopy, EDXRF, XRD, SEM-EDS, Micro-Raman spectroscopy and thermal expansion instrument. We also conduct simulation experiments at different temperatures and atmospheres. The results revealed that the Fe2O3 content of the Hare’s Fur glaze was about 5%. ε-Fe2O3 was found in the crystals on the glaze surface. The ε-Fe2O3 was all found on the rim of the bowl and it can exceed 10 microns in size. They were fired at about 1250°C in a reducing atmosphere. The simulation experiments showed that ε-Fe2O3 was formed in the cooling stage and needed to be held for a period of time at about 1160-1190°C. The presence of mullite will promote the formation of ε-Fe2O3. This is because the Al-substitution effect changes the crystal structure of ε-Fe2O3 and makes it more stable.