The proteinaceous binding media used in Tang Dynasty polychrome pottery was determined using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS). The optimum conditions for the extraction and subsequent enzymatic hydrolysis of the protein sample were established, and applied to the pretreatment of model and historical samples. Complexation of EDTA in combination with dialysis was determined to be the most effective method for eliminating interferences in polychrome layers taken from historical samples. Model samples were aged by burial in loess so as to more closely replicate the ageing process of the historical samples. Using the aforementioned optimized conditions, the "peptide mass fingerprint" of the binding media of historical and model samples was determined by MALDI-TOF-MS. Comparisons between the "peptide mass fingerprint" obtained for the historical sample and those of the model samples proved that animal glue was used as the binding media for the Tang Dynasty polychrome pottery. It also shows that animal glue used as binding media enjoys a long history in China.
