Summary The essay introduces the experimental research approach of textiles HUB, a multidisciplinary Laboratory at Politecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy, that sees textiles as the main interest of research activities that are ranging from architecture to construction and civil engineering, from industrial to fashion design, from material engineering to mechanics, and from building physics to chemistry. The essays deals with the role of ancient textile surfaces—tapestries (intended as vertical surfaces) and carpets (horizontal ones) as the crucial roles: a) historical testimony; b) indoor conditions mitigation. Comparative studies of the stylistic patterns allow these artifacts to be defined in terms of techniques and materials, with the final aim to define the place of origin. Even in the case in which the carpet carries the date (usually in the Islamic calendar), the assessment of their dating just by the radiocarbon (AMS C14) technique remains critical; indeed, the calibration curves available, when applied to the last 200 years of history, does not allow reliability of the order of the decade, as would be required in our case. The authors eventually present the methodology and development of a complementary analysis technique, based on other physical chemical observations on the carpet wool, with the aim to complement the use of the AMS C14 techniques. In particular, through the use of the FT-IR spectroscopic technique, significant data are obtained on wool fibers and on the processing processes of wool yarns, highlighting important information on the state of conservation and on the aging processes of the textile artifact.
Antique tapestries and carpets
Rosati G.;Monticelli C.;Tommasini M.;Zanchi C.;Zanelli A.
2022-01-01
Abstract
Summary The essay introduces the experimental research approach of textiles HUB, a multidisciplinary Laboratory at Politecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy, that sees textiles as the main interest of research activities that are ranging from architecture to construction and civil engineering, from industrial to fashion design, from material engineering to mechanics, and from building physics to chemistry. The essays deals with the role of ancient textile surfaces—tapestries (intended as vertical surfaces) and carpets (horizontal ones) as the crucial roles: a) historical testimony; b) indoor conditions mitigation. Comparative studies of the stylistic patterns allow these artifacts to be defined in terms of techniques and materials, with the final aim to define the place of origin. Even in the case in which the carpet carries the date (usually in the Islamic calendar), the assessment of their dating just by the radiocarbon (AMS C14) technique remains critical; indeed, the calibration curves available, when applied to the last 200 years of history, does not allow reliability of the order of the decade, as would be required in our case. The authors eventually present the methodology and development of a complementary analysis technique, based on other physical chemical observations on the carpet wool, with the aim to complement the use of the AMS C14 techniques. In particular, through the use of the FT-IR spectroscopic technique, significant data are obtained on wool fibers and on the processing processes of wool yarns, highlighting important information on the state of conservation and on the aging processes of the textile artifact.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
