This works presents the analysis of polychrome objects using transportable instrumentation for the analysis and characterisation of the palette of Ancient Egyptian Objects from a Late-period coffin in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, with a focus both on practical details of measurements and specific results from imaging and point-like analyses. Multispectral imaging was combined with X-ray fluorescence, Raman and Photoluminescence spectroscopies. All instrumentation was transported to the museum and analysis was carried out in situ within the Conservation Laboratory. Results demonstrate the strength of imaging for mapping the presence of Egyptian Blue and mixtures of the pigment, while elemental and molecular analyses indicate the presence of mixtures of pigments to create greens, and the selective use of yellow earth or yellow ochre. In situ analysis informed sampling to determine the type of wood used and the stratigraphy of the multiple layers of white pigments and cloth used to create the ground on which the painting was executed.

In situ imaging, elemental and molecular spectroscopy for the analysis of the construction and painting of a Late Period coffin at the Egyptian Museum of Cairo

Mosca, Sara;BELLEI, SARA;Frizzi, Tommaso;GIRONDA, MICHELE;Valentini, Gianluca;Nevin, Austin;Comelli, Daniela
2018-01-01

Abstract

This works presents the analysis of polychrome objects using transportable instrumentation for the analysis and characterisation of the palette of Ancient Egyptian Objects from a Late-period coffin in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, with a focus both on practical details of measurements and specific results from imaging and point-like analyses. Multispectral imaging was combined with X-ray fluorescence, Raman and Photoluminescence spectroscopies. All instrumentation was transported to the museum and analysis was carried out in situ within the Conservation Laboratory. Results demonstrate the strength of imaging for mapping the presence of Egyptian Blue and mixtures of the pigment, while elemental and molecular analyses indicate the presence of mixtures of pigments to create greens, and the selective use of yellow earth or yellow ochre. In situ analysis informed sampling to determine the type of wood used and the stratigraphy of the multiple layers of white pigments and cloth used to create the ground on which the painting was executed.
2018
Coffin; Egyptian Blue; Late period; Multi-spectral imaging; Noninvasive methods; Polychrome; Raman spectroscopy; Realgar; X-ray fluorescence; Instrumentation; Electrical and Electronic Engineering
File in questo prodotto:
File Dimensione Formato  
1-s2.0-S0263224117307649-main.pdf

Accesso riservato

: Publisher’s version
Dimensione 1.58 MB
Formato Adobe PDF
1.58 MB Adobe PDF   Visualizza/Apri

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11311/1060855
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? ND
  • Scopus 8
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 10
social impact