6533b82bfe1ef96bd128cec6

RESEARCH PRODUCT

Conservation Work on an Ancient Sicilian Processional Banner: Preliminary Analyses and in Situ Restoration

Stefania CaramannaAngela LombardoNadia Francaviglia

subject

Chemistry(all)media_common.quotation_subjectThin layerGildingGeneral MedicineAnimal glueArtWood identificationArchaeologylanguage.human_languageIn situ conservation workX-Ray FluorescenceChemical Engineering(all)languageBannerSicilianProcessional bannermedia_common

description

Abstract Before carrying out the conservation work on the gilded wooden frame of the processional banner coming from Tusa, Sicily, some preliminary diagnostic analyses were conducted in order to identify materials that made up the wooden frame. After a micro-sampling phase, a thin section of the wooden support allowed to identify the timber as linden wood (basswood). The X-Ray Fluorescence analysis confirmed the presence of a thin layer of primer made of plaster and animal glue covered with a red bolus primer, used for the gilding process. The restoration was carried out during the opening hours of the museum, allowing visitors to be informed on the restoration phases.

10.1016/j.proche.2013.03.015http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.proche.2013.03.015