N.º 26 2017 pp. 51-63

Article
Scientific investigation by technical photography, OM, ESEM, XRF, XRD and FTIR of an ancient Egyptian polychrome wooden coffin

Ahmed Abdrabou*, Medhat Abdallah, Hussein M. Kamal

Wood laboratory, Grand Egyptian Museum - Conservation Centre, Ministry of Antiquities, Giza, Egypt

* ahmed_abdrabou87@yahoo.com

Abstract

The focus of this study is to use a multi-analytical approach to map and identify the pigments used on a polychrome wooden coffin (Late Period), as well as to provide a deeper understanding of the painting techniques and the condition of the object. Moreover, the authors are significantly interested in the identification of the wood species. These were identified by observing the thin sections of samples under an optical transmission light microscope; the painted materials layered on the wood surface were analyzed by several scientific and analytical methods. Furthermore, the previous consolidation material and salts were also identified. The application of technical photography provided useful information about the spatial distribution of the surviving original pigments and the materials used in previous restoration interventions, in particular visible-induced luminescence, which played an important role to recognize spatial distribution of areas containing Egyptian blue, even if it is in traces or mixed with other pigments. However complete characterization of the pigments was only possible with the use of other techniques.

Keywords

Polychrome wooden coffin
Wood species
Technical photography
Egyptian blue

Language

English

DOI

10.14568/cp2017008

Download

PDF

Download citation

RIS | Endnote

Citation

History

Received: 2017-2-18
Revised: 2017-3-29
Accepted: 2017-4-25
Online: 2017-5-8
Publication: 2017-11-9

References

1 Abdrabou, A.; Abdallah, M.; Abd El Kader, M., 'Analytical study and conservation processes of a painted wooden Graeco-Roman coffin', International Journal of Conservation Science 6(4) (2015) 573-586, http://www.ijcs.uaic.ro/public/IJCS-15-40_Abdrabou.pdf (accessed 2017-05-05).

2 Abd El-Tawab Bader, N. A.; Al-Gharib, W. K., 'Assessment of deterioration and conservation of a polychrome wooden coffin, from al-Arish museum, Egypt', International Journal of Conservation Science 4(4) (2013) 397-412, http://www.ijcs.uaic.ro/public/IJCS-13-38-Bader.pdf (accessed 2017-05-05).

3 Afifi, H.; AbdEl Fatah, M. A., 'Analytical study of ground painting layers and conservation processes of an Egyptian painted coffin', Journal of Life Sciences 5 (2011) 661-669.

4 Johnson, C.; Head, K.; Green, L., 'The conservation of a polychrome Egyptian coffin', Studies in Conservation 40 (1995) 75-82, https://doi.org/10.1179/sic.1995.40.2.73.

5 Proietti, N.; Presciutti, F.; Di Tullio, V.; Doherty, B.; Marinelli, A.; Provinciali, B.; Macchioni, N.; Capitani, D.; Miliani, C., 'Unilateral NMR, 13C CPMAS NMR spectroscopy and micro-analytical techniques for studying the materials and state of conservation of an ancient Egyptian wooden sarcophagus', Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry 399(9) (2011) 3117-3131, https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-010-4229-z.

6 Amenta, A. 'The Vatican Coffin project', in Thebes in the First Millennium, ed. E. Pischikova. J. Budka & K. Griffen, Cambridge Scholars Publishing, Cambridge (2014) 483- 99.

7 Bracci, S.; Caruso, O.; Galeotti, M.; Iannaccone, R.; Magrini, D.; Picchi, D.; Pinna, D.; Porcinai, S., 'Multidisciplinary approach for the study of an Egyptian coffin (late 22nd/early 25th dynasty): Combining imaging and spectroscopic techniques', Spectrochimica Acta Part A: Molecular and Biomolecular Spectroscopy 145 (2015) 511-522, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.saa.2015.02.052.

8 IAWA Committee, List of microscopic features for softwood identification, IAWA Journal 25 (2004) 1-70, https://doi.org/10.1163/22941932-90000349.

9 Crivellaro, A.; Schweingruber, F. H., Atlas of Wood, Bark and Pith Anatomy of Eastern Mediterranean Trees and Shrubs with Special Focus on Cyprus, Springer-Verlag, Berlin (2013).

10 'Acacia nilotica', in The Inside Wood Database, http://insidewood.lib.ncsu.edu (accessed 2016-06-17).

11 'Tamarix nilotica', in The Inside Wood Database, http://insidewood.lib.ncsu.edu (accessed 2016-06-17).

12 Cosentino, A., 'Identification of pigments by multispectral imaging; a flowchart method', Heritage Science 2 (2014) 8 https://doi.org/10.1186/2050-7445-2-8.

13 Cosentino, A., 'Practical notes on ultraviolet technical photography for art examination', Conservar Património 21(2015) 53-62, https://doi.org/10.14568/cp2015006.

14 Verri, G.; Saunders, D.; Ambers, J.; Sweek, T., 'Digital mapping of Egyptian blue: Conservation implications', Studies in Conservation 55(Sup2) (2010) 220-224, http://dx.doi.org/10.1179/sic.2010.55.Supplement-2.220.

15 Dyer, J.; Verri, G.; Cupitt, J., Multispectral Imaging in Reflectance and Photo-induced Luminescence Modes: A User Manual, The British Museum, London (2013), www.britishmuseum.org/pdf/charisma-multispectral-imaging-manual-2013.pdf (accessed 2017-05-05).

16 Dyer, J.; O'Connell, E. R.; Simpson, A., 'Polychromy in Roman Egypt: a study of a limestone sculpture of the Egyptian god Horus', The British Museum Technical Research Bulletin 8 (2014) 93-103, http://www.britishmuseum.org/pdf/BMTRB_8_Dyer_OConnell_and_Simpson.pdf (accessed 2017-05-05).

17 Cosentino, A., 'Effects of different binders on technical photography and infrared reflectography of 54 historical pigments', International Journal of Conservation Science 6(3) (2015) 287-298, http://www.ijcs.uaic.ro/public/IJCS-15-27_Cosentino.pdf (accessed 2017-05-05).

18 Derrik, R. M.; Stulik, D.; Landy, M. J., Infrared Spectroscopy in Conservation Science, The Getty Conservation Institute, Los Angeles (199 ).

19 Gale, R.; Gasson, P.; Hepper, N., 'Wood', in Ancient Egyptian Materials and Technology, ed. T. Nicholson & I. Shaw, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge (2000) 334-371.

20 Dawson, J.; Marchant, J.; Von Aderkas, E.; Cartwright, C.; Stacy, R., 'Egyptian coffins: materials, construction and decoration', in Death on the Nile (Uncovering the Afterlife of Ancient Egypt), ed. H. Strudwick & J. Dawson, The Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge (2016) 75-246.

21 Cartwright, C.; Taylor, J. H., 'Wooden Egyptian archery bows in the collections of the British Museum', The British Museum Technical Research Bulletin 2 (2008) 77-83, https://www.britishmuseum.org/pdf/BMTRB%202%20 Cartwright%20and%20Taylor.pdf (accessed 2017-05-05).

22 Stein, R. A.; Lacounra, P., 'Observations on the preparation layers found on ancient Egyptian decorated coffins in the Michael C. Carlos Museum', in Decorated Surfaces on Ancient Egyptian Objects Technology, Deterioration and Conservation, ed. J. Dawson, C. Rozeik, M.M. Wright, Archetype Publications, London (2010) 3-8.

23 Delaney, J. K.; Walmsley, E.; Berrie, B. H.; Fletcher, C. F., 'Multi-spectral imaging of paintings in the infrared to detect and map blue pigments', in Scientific Examination of Art. Modern Techniques in Conservation and Analysis, National Academies Press, Washington, (2005) 120-136, https://www.nap.edu/read/11413/chapter/10 (accessed 2017-05-05).

24 Cosentino, A., 'Multispectral imaging and the art expert', Spectroscopy Europe 27(2) (2015) 6-9.

25 Grant, M. S., 'The use of ultraviolet induced visible-fluorescence in the examination of museum objects, Part II', National Park Service Conserve O Gram 1(10) (2000), https://www.nps.gov/museum/publications/conserveogram/01-10.pdf (accessed 2017-05-05).

26 Verri, G.; Gleba, M.; Swaddling, J.; Long, T.; Ambers, J.; Munden, T., 'Etruscan women's clothing and its decoration: the polychrome gypsum statue from the 'Isis Tomb' at Vulci', The British Museum Technical Research Bulletin 8 (2014) 59-71, http://www.britishmuseum.org/pdf/BMTRB_8_Verri_et_al.pdf (accessed 2017-05-05).

27 Verri, G., 'The use and distribution of Egyptian blue: a study by visible-induced luminescence imaging in conservation', in Scientific Examination and Re-display of the Nebamun Wall Paintings, ed. K. Uprichard & A. Middleton, Archetype Publications, London (2008) 41-50.

28 Verri, G., 'The application of visible-induced luminescence imaging to the examination of museum objects', in Proceedings of SPIE7391 - O3A: Optics for Arts, Architecture, and Archaeology II, ed. L. Pezzati & R. Salimbeni (2009), https://doi.org/10.1117/12.827331.

29 Accorsi, G.; Verri, G.; Bolognesi, M.; Armaroli, N.; Clementi, C.; Miliani, C.; Romani, A., 'The exceptional near-infrared luminescence properties of cuprorivaite (Egyptian blue)', Chemical Communications 23 (2009) 3392-3394, https://doi.org/10.1039/B902563D.

30 Verri, G.; Opper, T.; Deviese, T., 'The Treu Head: a case study in Roman sculptural polychromy', The British Museum Technical Research Bulletin 4 (2010) 39-54, https://www.britishmuseum.org/pdf/BMTRB4%20Verri.pdf (accessed 2017-05-05).

31 Stuart, B., Analytical Techniques in Materials Conservation, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd, Chichester (2007).

32 Passmore, E.; Ambers, J.; Higgitt, C.; Ward, C.; Wills, B.; Simpson, S. J.; Cartwright, C., 'Hidden, looted, saved: the scientific research and conservation of a group of Begram Ivories from the National Museum of Afghanistan', The British Museum Technical Research Bulletin 6 (2012) 33-46, https://www.britishmuseum.org/pdf/BMTRB_6_Passmoreet-al.pdf (accessed 2017-05-05).

33 Scott, D. A.; Warmlander, S.; Mazurek, J.; Quirke, S., 'Examination of some pigments, grounds and media from Egyptian cartonnage fragments in the Petrie Museum, University College London', Journal of Archaeological Science 36(3) (2009) 923-932, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jas.2008.12.011.

34 MeCartby, B., 'Technical analysis of reds an yellows in the tomb of Suemniwet, Theban tomb 92', in Colour and Painting in Ancient Egypt, ed. W. V. Davies, The British Museum Press, London (2001) 17-21.

35 Abdrabou, A.; Elbaroudy,A.; Abdallah, M.; Abd El Kader, M.; Matsuda, Y., 'Analytical study and conservation processes of some ancient Egyptian wooden artifacts', poster, ICOM-CC 17th Triennial Conference, Melbourne (2014).

36 Abdelaal, S.; Mahmoud, N.; Detalle, V., 'A technical examination and the identification of the wood, pigments, grounds and binder of an ancient Egyptian sarcophagus', International Journal of Conservation Science 5 (2) (2014) 177-188, http://www.ijcs.uaic.ro/public/IJCS-14-17-Abdelaal.pdf (accessed 2017-05-05).

37 Bonizzoni, L.; Bruni, S.; Guglielmi, V.; Milazzo, M.; Neri, O., 'Field and laboratory multi-technique analysis of pigments and organic painting media from an Egyptian coffin (26th dynasty)', Archaeometry 53(6) (2011) 1212-1230, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1475-4754.2011.00592.x.

38 Ganio, M.; Salvant, J.; Williams, J.; Lee, L.; Cossairt, O.; Walton, M.,' Investigating the use of Egyptian blue in Roman Egyptian portraits and panels from Tebtunis, Egypt', Applied Physics A 121(3) (2015) 813-821, https://doi.org/10.1007/s00339-015-9424-5.

39 Pradell, T.; Salvado, N.; Hatton, G. D.; Tite, M. S., 'Physical Processes Involved in Production of the Ancient Pigment, Egyptian Blue', Journal of the American Ceramic Society 89(4) (2006) 1426-1431, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1551-2916.2005.00904.x.

40 Mirti, P.; Appolonia, L.; Casoli, A.; Ferrari, R. P.; Laurenti, E.; Amisano Canesi, A.; Chiari, G., 'Spectrochemical and structural studies on a roman sample of Egyptian blue', Spectrochimica Acta Part A: Molecular and Biomolecular Spectroscopy 51(3) (1995) 437-446, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0584-8539(94)E0108-M.

41 Pages-Camagna, S.; Guichard, H., 'Egyptian colours and pigments in French collections: 30 years of physicochemical analyses on 30 objects', in Decorated Surfaces on Ancient Egyptian Objects Technology, Deterioration and Conservation, ed. J. Dawson, C. Rozeik & M. M. Wright, Archetype Publications, London (2010) 25-31.

42 Uda, M., 'Characterization of Pigments Used in Ancient Egypt', in X-Rays for Archaeology, ed. M. Uda, G. Demortier & I. Nakai, Springer, Dordrecht (2005) 3-26, https://doi.org/10.1007/1-4020-3581-0_1.

43 Ismail, Y.; Abdrabou, A.; Abdallah, M., 'A non-destructive analytical study and the conservation processes of Pharaoh Tutankhamun´s painted boat model', International Journal of Conservation Science 7(1) (2016) 15-28, http://www.ijcs.uaic.ro/public/IJCS-16-02_Ismail.pdf (accessed 2017-05-05).

44 Edreira, M. C.; Feliu, M. J.; Lorenzo, C. F.; Martin, J., 'Spectroscopic study of Egyptian blue mixed with other pigments', Helvetica Chimica Acta 86 (2003) 29-49, https://doi.org/10.1002/hlca.200390017.

45 Mahmoud, H. H. M., 'Investigations by Raman microscopy, ESEM and FTIR-ATR of wall paintings from Qasr el-Ghuieta temple, Kharga Oasis, Egypt', Heritage Science 2 (2014) 18, https://doi.org/10.1186/s40494-014-0018-x.

46 Karya, H.; Bruno, L.; Godfrey, J.; March, T., 'Treatment of Dynasty 18 painted coffin, 37.47E a-e (Abbott collection 405A)', in Decorated Surfaces on Ancient Egyptian Objects Technology, Deterioration and Conservation, ed. J. Dawson, C. Rozeik, & M. M. Wright, Archetype Publications, London (2010) 97-105.

47 Horie, V., Materials for Conservation. Organic Consolidants, Adhesives and Coatings, 2nd ed., Butterworth-Heinemann, Oxford (2010).

48 Marey, H.; Kantiranis, N.; Stratis, J., 'Salt damage on the wall paintings of the festival temple of Thutmosis III, Karnak temples complex, Upper Egypt: A case study', International Journal of Conservation Sciences 1 (3) (2010) 133-142, http://www.ijcs.uaic.ro/pub/IJCS-10-13-Mahmoud.pdf (accessed 2017-05-05).

49 Arnold, A., 'Behaviour of some soluble salts in stone deterioration', in Proceedings of 2nd International Symposium on the Deterioratio of Building Stones, Athens (1976) 27-36.

50 Lubelli, B.; Van Hees, R., 'Effectiveness of crystallization inhibitors in preventing salt damage in building materials', Journal of Cultural Heritage 8(3) (2007) 223-234, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.culher.2007.06.001.

Stable url: https://doi.org/10.14568/cp2017008