History of Chemistry in Ancient and Medieval India, Incorporating the History of Hindu Chemistry by Acharya Prafulla Chandra Ray c12.43

c12.43

Apart from quartz as body material, both powdered and carved steatite were also used. Analysis of two such specimens has been recorded in Table I. Powdered steatite, however, does not seem to have been used in ancient Egypt for this purpose. It has been suggested that instead of adding any silicate to hold together the powdered steatite before firing, the object might have been extracted from its mould while still damp and, after being coated with the glaze, was heated in an increasing temperature until the fusing of the glaze bound the whole mass together.