The Enamelled Tiles of Olite’s Castle (Spain): Characterization, Provenance, and Manufacture Technology

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine the authorship, provenance, and technology of the mudejar enamelled tiles from the Olite Castle (northern Spain, 14th century). According to previous knowledge, Olite’s enamelled tiles had been manufactured in Manises (Valencia, Spain). The analysis of ceramic pastes revealed the existence of two different chemical compositions, suggesting the use of two different clay sources, probably one from the Tudela area, and another from the Tafalla–Olite area. Those probably made in the Tudela area stood out with a higher diopside (CaMgSi2O6) content. Those probably made in the Tafalla–Olite area stood out for their calcium-bearing minerals, such as calcite (CaCO3) or gehlenite (Ca2Al(AlSi)O7). On this basis, production in Manises has been ruled out. However, it is highly probable that the artisans of Manises would have led the production from Tudela. The study of the firing temperatures and composition of the enamels indicated that the production methods and materials used in Tafalla–Olite (800–850 °C) and Tudela (higher than 900 °C) were different, reflecting the influence of local and Manises artisans, respectively. In Olite tiles, enamel was applied following recipes from the 14th and 15th centuries.

Keywords

• ceramic tiles
• archaeometry
• 15th century
• diopside
• analcime
• cobalt blue