0000000000046652
AUTHOR
Stefano Ridolfi
Identification Techniques I
Infrared (IR) and Raman spectroscopy have a high potential for characterisation of material. Extensive series of wet chemical analysis may be substituted by a single spectroscopic measurement followed by detailed chemometric data evaluation. Topics of this chapter are: (i) basics of IR and Raman spectroscopy, (ii) the registration of “correct” spectra, and (iii) spectra evaluation. Dedicated applications in the area of conservation science are collected in separate chapters. The infrared (IR) spectrum is often called the fingerprint of a substance. An IR spectrum identifies a substance like a human fingerprint. Due to their origin the features of an IR spectrum are bands, not peaks. They in…
The use of a European coinage alloy to compare the detection limits of mobile XRF systems. A feasibility study
The investigation of archaeological and historical materials makes use of techniques that, though borrowed from other fields of research and industrial production, frequently have to be 're-invented' because of peculiar characteristics of the analysed objects. Artistic relevance, limited movability, compositional and structural heterogeneity radically change the experimental approach and often require ad hoc designed equipment. These considerations also apply to x-ray fluorescence, especially regarding mobile systems. The extensive development and use of mobile spectrometers has produced an extremely diversified context and created the need for common criteria to evaluate their performances…
A multi-analytical non-invasive and micro-invasive approach to canvas oil paintings. General considerations from a specific case
Abstract The investigation of artwork to understand story, state of conservation and to know about the composing materials is an issue that is getting growing attention in specialized literature. From a methodological point of view the scientific community is trying to reach a common proposal that could contribute to define a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the application of portable non-invasive and microinvasive techniques for in-situ analyses. In this paper the oil painting on canvas “St. Girolamo nello studio” by Nicolo Buttafoco was investigated to known the materials and techniques used by the artist as well as to evaluate its preservation status. The survey has been conducted…
First discovery of orichalcum ingots from the remains of a 6th century BC shipwreck near Gela (Sicily) seabed
Ingots recently recovered from the seabed near Gela, a major harbour of Sicily, reveal an unexpected side of ancient metallurgy. The ingots were found near remains of a ship and earthenware dated around the end of the VI century BC and probably coming from the eastern Mediterranean and the Aegean sea. The ingots were analysed by means of X-Ray Fluorescence spectroscopy via a portable spectrometer. Results indicate that they are mostly consist of copper and zinc although many of them have a significant amount of lead. This alloy is nowday called brass, but in ancient time it was know as orichalcum, one of the rarest and most precious alloy along with gold and silver. Only small items of oric…
A multi-disciplinary investigation of the "Tavolette fuori posto" of the "Hall of Barons" wooden ceiling of the "Steri" (Palermo, Italy)
Abstract Four painted slabs, called “Tavolette fuori posto” (Slabs out of place), of Galleria Interdisciplinare Regionale della Sicilia — Palazzo Abatellis (Palermo, Italy) were investigated with multi-techniques approach by using noninvasive and micro-destructive techniques. The slabs presumably belong to the decoration of the wooden ceiling of the “Hall of Barons” of the Palazzo Chiaramonte, said Steri, in Palermo (Italy). The aim of this study was to investigate the kind of materials used by the artist, the executive technique and the state of conservation. Pigments, binders and trace of previous restorations were identified. The results were used to properly plan the restoration interve…
A multivariate approach to the study of orichalcum ingots from the underwater Gela's archaeological site
Abstract In this work a careful ICP-OES and ICP-MS investigation of 38 ancient ingots has been performed to determine both major components and trace elements content to find a correlation between the observed different features and the composition. The ingots, recovered in an underwater archaeological site of various finds near Gela (CL, Italy), were previously investigated by X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) spectroscopy to know the composition of the alloy and it was found that the major elements were copper and zinc, in a ratio compatible with the famous orichalcum similar to the contemporary brass that was considered a precious metal in ancient times. The discovery of huge amount this alloy is…