The vernacular sculpture of Saint Anthony the Abbot of Museo Colle del Duomo in Viterbo (Italy). Diagnostic and Wood dating

• Published in: Journal of cultural heritage 2021-03, Vol.48, p.299-304
• Main Authors: Vitali, F., Caldi, C., Benucci, M., Marzaioli, F., Moioli, P., Seccaroni, C., De Ruggieri, B., Romagnoli, M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: C14; Cultural heritage; Pigments; Wood dating; Wood sculpture; XRF analysis
• ISSN: 1296-2074; 1778-3674
• DOI: 10.1016/j.culher.2021.01.006

•Vernacular sculptures are rarely investigated.•XRF analysis showed Lead White, Zn, Fe, Ti and As.•Radiocarbon dated the sculpture.•Diagnostic is necessary before restoration.•Re-painting was assessed by stratigraphic analysis. The sculpture of Sant'Antonio Abate represents an interesting example of vernacular art, it is a devotional object celebrated and carried in procession in many villages of Tuscia. The poor documentation and the observations of technical and stylistic characteristics do not allow the placement of the artifact at a well-defined period. It is also necessary to know the materials used for its realization before the start of restoration operations. Preliminary diagnostic investigations have allowed to date by radiocarbon, the sculpture, which was carved on lime wood, in the second half of the fifteenth century. XRF analysis has identified White Lead, Titanium and Zinc, this last in the habit of the sculpture. XRF data’s interpretation is not so obvious because all the investigated repainted areas did not show strong compositional differences from the original ones. Re-depicting were assessed after stratigraphic sections. The obtained data support exploitation of the cultural heritage in the museum and are the basic information for restoration