Identification of Colourants and Varnishes in a 14th Century Decorated Wood-Carved Door of the Dionysiou Monastery in Mount Athos

A decorated and carved wooden door of the late Byzantine period (14th Century), which belongs to the Dionysiou Monastery in Mount Athos, Greece, constitutes an important relic of valuable technological information due to its construction technology and history. Seventeen (17) samples detached from t...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Coatings (Basel) 2021-09, Vol.11 (9), p.1087
Main Authors: Konstantas, Alexander, Karapanagiotis, Ioannis, Boyatzis, Stamatis C.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
14th century
Arsenic trisulfide
Calcite
Carbon black
Coloring agents
Energy
Energy dispersive X ray analysis
Gypsum
Investigations
Lead oxides
Materials selection
Monasteries
Optical microscopy
Pigments
Raman spectroscopy
Red lead
Restoration
Scanning electron microscopy
Spectrum analysis
Varnishes
Vibration
X ray analysis
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Summary:A decorated and carved wooden door of the late Byzantine period (14th Century), which belongs to the Dionysiou Monastery in Mount Athos, Greece, constitutes an important relic of valuable technological information due to its construction technology and history. Seventeen (17) samples detached from the door are studied using optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersive X-ray analysis (SEM-EDX), and micro-Raman and FTIR spectroscopy. The following materials are identified in the cross sections of the door samples using micro-Raman spectroscopy: orpiment, lead white, red lead, red ochre, cinnabar, carbon black, gypsum, anhydrite, and calcite, and an organic colourant of the indigoid family. SEM-EDX studies supported to the aforementioned Raman results. Interestingly, a combination of inorganic and organic colourants was detected. The main goals of this particular study were to: (a) reveal the colour palette and materials, (b) identify the type of varnish and its condition, and (c) contribute to future restoration processes and aid conservators in selecting compatible restoration materials.
ISSN:2079-6412
2079-6412
DOI:10.3390/coatings11091087