Bright lights: disclosures from the optical, spectroscopic and chromatographic characterization of a 19th century Portuguese sedan chair

Bright lights: disclosures from the optical, spectroscopic and chromatographic characterization of a 19th century Portuguese sedan chair

The Fundação Ricardo Espírito Santo Silva (FRESS) as the mission of defend, train, study, develop and implement Portuguese Fine Arts in Portugal. This paper reflects the process of Conservation-Restoration training, where students apply the most recent analytical techniques to the characterization o...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Conservar Património Vol. 23; pp. 25 - 34
Main Authors: Catarina Miguel, Ana Raquel Bispo, Beatriz Gonçalves, Diogo Marques, Inês Faria, Maria das Dores Macias, Nuno Neves, Nádia Silva, Vanessa Rocha, António Santos Silva
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: Associação Profissional de Conservadores - Restauradores de Portugal 01-06-2016
Subjects:
Chromatography
Dyes
Pigments
Sedan chair
Spectroscopy
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Summary:The Fundação Ricardo Espírito Santo Silva (FRESS) as the mission of defend, train, study, develop and implement Portuguese Fine Arts in Portugal. This paper reflects the process of Conservation-Restoration training, where students apply the most recent analytical techniques to the characterization of artwork towards enabling and supporting conservation intervention. In this study, the materials used to produce a 19th century sedan chair were characterised by optical microscopy, spectroscopic (SEM-EDS, -Raman and FTIR-imaging) and chromatographic (HPLC-DAD/MS) techniques. The use of natural and synthetic dyes was identified in textiles found inside the chair, including cochineal, brazilwood and fuchsine. Several paint layers with different colours and compounds, such as barite, calcium carbonate, lead white, hematite and Prussian blue, were identified in the external painted wood surface of the chair. The variety of identified materials, interspersed between layers of animal glue, reflects the different interventions that took place on the chair over time, supporting the intervention strategies reported/prescribed for the conservation-restoration procedure.
ISSN:1646-043X
2182-9942
DOI:10.14568/cp2016001