A terracotta Dancing Horse sculpture dating to the Tang Dynasty (China) and owned by the Cincinnati Art Museum(US) is the topic of the present investigation. Besides its intrinsic artistic and historical values, the peculiarity of thishorse concerns its conservation history; it shows extensive breakage signs and restoration and above all, the presenceof an odd tassel on the frontal part of the head. Nine tassels are present on the two sides of the body, which is verycommon for these kinds of sculptures. Here, a scientifc survey of this masterpiece is proposed aimed at looking intoits conservation history, shedding light into the condition of the body and the tassels and the presence of residualconservation products applied during its troubled history. A comparative molecular, chemical and mineralogicalstudy of the tassels is carried out focused on the identifcation of original and non-original materials, eventually addedduring restoration works. The multi-analytical protocol has been optimized for achieving as much information as possible from the available samples, a few mg of powders. X-ray powder difraction and Raman Spectroscopy techniqueshave been followed by Fourier Transformed Infrared Spectroscopy and Ionic Chromatography, using the same smallaliquot of powders. Scientifc investigations highlighted that the odd tassel on the head and other two tassels on thebody are not original, but replaced or added in subsequent time. Their composition includes both organic (polyesterresin and/or phthalate) and inorganic compounds (sulphates and carbonates). Further data on original terracottacomposition, decay substances and applied conservation products, provided new knowledge on past restorationtreatments and cultural value. Importantly, the outcomes achieved with X-ray powder difraction to identify thetassels authenticity were matched by Raman Spectroscopy, a technique that can be also used in situ with portableinstruments, paving the way to non-invasive in situ authenticity studies as future perspective.
Scientific investigation to look into the conservation history of a Tang Dynasty terracotta Dancing Horse
C Conti;M Catrambone;C Colombo;E Possenti;M Realini;
2022
Abstract
A terracotta Dancing Horse sculpture dating to the Tang Dynasty (China) and owned by the Cincinnati Art Museum(US) is the topic of the present investigation. Besides its intrinsic artistic and historical values, the peculiarity of thishorse concerns its conservation history; it shows extensive breakage signs and restoration and above all, the presenceof an odd tassel on the frontal part of the head. Nine tassels are present on the two sides of the body, which is verycommon for these kinds of sculptures. Here, a scientifc survey of this masterpiece is proposed aimed at looking intoits conservation history, shedding light into the condition of the body and the tassels and the presence of residualconservation products applied during its troubled history. A comparative molecular, chemical and mineralogicalstudy of the tassels is carried out focused on the identifcation of original and non-original materials, eventually addedduring restoration works. The multi-analytical protocol has been optimized for achieving as much information as possible from the available samples, a few mg of powders. X-ray powder difraction and Raman Spectroscopy techniqueshave been followed by Fourier Transformed Infrared Spectroscopy and Ionic Chromatography, using the same smallaliquot of powders. Scientifc investigations highlighted that the odd tassel on the head and other two tassels on thebody are not original, but replaced or added in subsequent time. Their composition includes both organic (polyesterresin and/or phthalate) and inorganic compounds (sulphates and carbonates). Further data on original terracottacomposition, decay substances and applied conservation products, provided new knowledge on past restorationtreatments and cultural value. Importantly, the outcomes achieved with X-ray powder difraction to identify thetassels authenticity were matched by Raman Spectroscopy, a technique that can be also used in situ with portableinstruments, paving the way to non-invasive in situ authenticity studies as future perspective.File | Dimensione | Formato | |
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Descrizione: Scientific investigation to look into the conservation history of a Tang Dynasty terracotta Dancing Horse
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