A. Bouquillon

ELEMENTAL ANALYSES OF A GROUP OF GLAZED TERRACOTTA ANGELS FROM THE ITALIAN RENAISSANCE, AS A TOOL FOR THE RECONSTRUCTION OF A COMPLEX CONSERVATION HISTORY*

A group of Italian glazed terracotta sculptures, attributed to the della Robbia workshop of Florence, is partly displayed in the Louvre Museum. Analyses of the apparently homogeneous sculptures by techniques such as PIXE, SEM, ICP/AES and ICP/MS have identified differences in the materials used. The data provide a subdivision of the sculptures, which is compatible with what is known from historical documents and artistic considerations, and suggest a date for this ensemble at the end of the 15th century, when the della Robbia family was involved in the decoration of the San Frediano church in Florence.

Quantitative X-ray fluorescence analysis of an Egyptian faience pendant and comparison with PIXE

The X-ray fluorescence (XRF) technique is a common choice in the archaeometric field for in situ investigations with portable instruments. This work shows that XRF portable systems can be used for quantitative analyses using appropriate software, obtaining a similar accuracy to that provided with other techniques such as particle-induced X-ray emission (PIXE), as shown for an Egyptian faience pendant and for two glass standards.

Study of Italian Renaissance sculptures using an external beam nuclear microprobe

Abstract The use of an extracted proton micro-beam for the PIXE analysis of glazes is discussed in the context of the growing interest in the creation of an analytical database on Italian Renaissance glazed terracotta sculptures. Some results concerning the frieze of an altarpiece of the Louvre museum, featuring white angels and cherubs heads, are presented.

In situ dynamic analysis of solids or aqueous solutions undergoing chemical reactions by RBS or PIXE with external beams

Abstract Non-conventional applications of IBA techniques are under development on an external micro-beam line dedicated to the study of materials relevant to cultural heritage. Special set-ups have been designed to investigate the kinetics of materials transformation by dynamic (real-time) analysis using either RBS or PIXE. The first technique is well fitted to the study of the thermal oxidation of solids in air, whereas the second one is suitable for measuring the rate of elemental release in the liquid phase during solid–solution interaction. Preliminary tests have been performed to demonstrate the usefulness of this approach. On one hand we have applied dynamic micro-RBS to study the oxidation kinetics at 360 °C of pure copper and a copper–gold alloy and on the other hand we have checked the ability of micro-PIXE to measure in real time the release of lead in solution during the aqueous dissolution of lead containing glass or glaze.