Philippe Colomban是法國國家科研中心(CNRS)的化學家,專攻陶瓷材料科學。他研究陶瓷的物理化學性質,無論是使用於新式複合材料中的陶瓷成分,或是來自歐亞、近東等地的古物。在第139期的〈陶瓷與玻璃期刊〉(Revue de la céramique de du verre)中, Colomban與法國幾處陶瓷與中東古物研究單位合作,針對古代巴格達的陶匠發明:失傳中的多彩釉(lustre polychrome)技術,發表了一篇綜合報告。
The Islamic potters left behind them a unique legacy, providing inspiration and technical knowledge for the development of decorated glazed ceramics throughout Europe. They invented 'blue-and-white' centuries before this colour scheme became the trade mark of Chinese export porcelain. They also developed lustre - 'That extraordinarily luxurious metallic sheen, which rivals precious metal in its effects, all but turning objects of clay to gold'.
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
In the 12th and 13th centuries there were at last five important pottery centres producing lustre ware in Persia and Mesopotamia. The most important technique was the use of lustre. The technique of painting in lustre was originally developed by Syrian and Egyptian glassmakers who began started using it on pottery at the end of the ninth century. The technique was taken up by Mesopotamian potters who applied it particularly to relief moulded wares to imitate bronze, brass or gold. Samara and Baghdad became important pottery centres producing these lustre wares.
The rich designs and techniques of the Islamic potters have certainly been influential and are ranked highly in the world of ceramics.