Coloured Patina on the Surface of Mediaeval Commodity Seals: investigations in the course of restoration work Cover Image
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Цветные наслоения на поверхности средневековых товарных пломб: исследование в процессе реставрации
Coloured Patina on the Surface of Mediaeval Commodity Seals: investigations in the course of restoration work

Author(s): Nikolai Kurganov, Konstantin V. Gorlov
Subject(s): History, Archaeology, Middle Ages, 6th to 12th Centuries
Published by: Издательский дом Stratum, Университет «Высшая антропологическая школа»
Keywords: Ancient Rus; commodity seals; conservation; restoration; patina; lead; red lead; litharge; cerussite; hydrocerussite; white lead; Raman spectroscopy

Summary/Abstract: Patina of different bright tints of red, yellow and white on the surface of lead objects attract scientific interest to them. Raman scattering spectroscopy was employed in order to define their mineral composition. Different lead compounds have been identified on the surface of ancient lead artefacts. Some of the minerals may have been used from antiquity as pigments in paints. In the studied case, however, their origin is a result of natural mineralization processes rather than artificial colouring. In this article, different approaches to restoration of archaeological lead finds are discussed. Many restoration methods disregard the necessity of careful treatment of patina. Chemical reactions undergone during restoration change considerably the appearance and colour of lead objects.

  • Issue Year: 2017
  • Issue No: 6
  • Page Range: 361-367
  • Page Count: 7
  • Language: Russian