Tracing the origins of Eastern European enamelling: Chemical composition of glass and enamels from the Bryansk hoard (south-western Russia)

The chemical composition of a series of Eastern European enamels from the Bryansk hoard from the third century ad and other sites was studied using scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) and electron microprobe analysis (EPMA) techniques. Red opaque glass is homogeneous compositionally, suggesting not only common manufacturing traditions but also identical types and sources of raw materials and, consequently, a single origin. The glass is made in the Roman tradition of enamelling, which appeared in the mid-first century ad, as was the case with orange glass. The difference in the lead content in glass of different colours, which determines the melting temperature, allows the reconstruction of polychrome enamelling techniques.