The application of ELISA to the analysis and research of cementing materials in calligraphy of porcelain relics in Song Dynasty

The Song Dynasty of China was a prosperous period for the development of porcelain. There are often characters or symbols written in ink on the marine and unearthed Song Dynasty porcelain, which are called porcelain calligraphy. The main raw materials of ink are cementing materials and smoke. Analyzing the composition of cementing materials and smoke in porcelain calligraphy is of great significance for us to understand the technology of making ink in ancient China and the protection of porcelain calligraphy. In this study, we used the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to detect the composition of the cementing materials in the bottom of the marine porcelain of Southern Song Dynasty shipwreck “Nanhai No. I” and the unearthed porcelain of Song Dynasty in Fujian Province. At the same time, the types of smoke in the porcelain calligraphy of “Nanhai No. I” were preliminarily identified by transmission electron microscope (TEM), in order to detect and analyze the composition of cementing materials and smoke raw materials in porcelain calligraphy. This study is of great significance and value for elucidating the ink-making technology of the Song Dynasty in China, as well as for the protection and restoration of calligraphy in ancient porcelain cultural relics.