Technical Study of Polychrome Arhat Figures Dated From the Song Dynasty(960-1279 CE) From the Lingyan Temple, Changqing, Shandong, China

Abstract Scientific analysis revealed the materials and techniques used in the process of making the polychrome sculptures providing a solid foundation for the protection and restoration of the painted statues. In addition analysis revealed changes in colour schemes applied to the sculptures can provide the basis for the virtual restoration of the painted statues. In order carry out scientifically-informed protection and restoration of the Bodhidharma statue from the Lingyan Temple, Changqinq, Shandong, several analytical methods such as optical microscope (OM), Micro-Raman spectroscopy (μ-RS), scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive X-ray analysis (SEM-EDS) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) were employed. Analysis clearly reveal the information including the stratigraphic structure and the composition of pigment. The use of silver foils and golden yellow pyrophyllite mineral to replace gold foils were found in the gilding paint layer in the later repainting after the Song Dynasty. This work reports the coexistence of emerald green (Cu(C2H3O2)2·3Cu(AsO2)2) and the degradation product lavendulan (NaCaCu5(AsO4)4Cl·5H2O) in large areas of the paint stratigraphy and on the surface confirming that the degradation of emerald green is related to the thickness of the paint layer; in thinner paint layers emerald green is transformed in lavendulan, while thicker layers of contain both lavendulan and emerald green, suggesting an environmental source of chlorides.

Download Full-text

Polychrome arhat figures dated from the Song Dynasty (960–1279 CE) at the Lingyan Temple, Changqing, Shandong, China

Heritage Science ◽

10.1186/s40494-021-00592-3 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Yongdong Tong ◽

Youzhen Cai ◽

Xuening Wang ◽

Zhimin Li ◽

Austin Nevin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Song Dynasty ◽

Paint Layer ◽

Optical Microscope ◽

Green Is ◽

X Ray ◽

The Song Dynasty ◽

Micro Raman Spectroscopy ◽

Scientific Analysis ◽

Golden Yellow ◽

Solid Foundation

AbstractScientific analysis revealed the materials and techniques used in the process of making polychrome sculptures providing a solid foundation for the protection and restoration of the painted statues. In addition, the analyses revealed changes in colour schemes applied to the sculptures can provide the basis for the virtual restoration of the painted statues. In order to carry out scientifically-informed protection and restoration of the Bodhidharma statue from the Lingyan Temple, Changqinq, Shandong, several analytical methods such as optical microscope (OM), Micro-Raman spectroscopy (μ-RS), scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive X-ray analysis (SEM–EDS) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) were employed. Analyses clearly reveal the information including the stratigraphic structure and the composition of pigment. The use of silver foils and golden yellow pyrophyllite mineral to replace gold foils were found in the gilding paint layer in the later repainting after the Song Dynasty. This work reports the coexistence of emerald green (Cu(C2H3O2)2·3Cu(AsO2)2) and the degradation product lavendulan (NaCaCu5(AsO4)4Cl·5H2O) in large areas of the paint stratigraphy and on the surface confirming that the degradation of emerald green is related to the thickness of the paint layer; in thinner paint layers emerald green is transformed in lavendulan, while thicker layers of contain both lavendulan and emerald green, suggesting an environmental source of chlorides.

Download Full-text

Provenance Identification of the Inkslab Unearthed from Liangfu Gao’s Grave of the Song Dynasty (960-1279 CE) in Chengdu, Sichuan, China

10.21203/rs.3.rs-117511/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Tongyang Wang ◽

Yangmin Gong ◽

Shiming Wang ◽

Lin Xiao ◽

Tao Yang

Keyword(s):

Song Dynasty ◽

Inductively Coupled Plasma ◽

Atomic Emission ◽

Complete Characterization ◽

Emission Spectrometry ◽

Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometry ◽

X Ray ◽

Inductively Coupled ◽

The Song Dynasty ◽

Comparison Of The Results

Abstract In order to infer the provenance of ancient inkslab excavated from Liangfu Gao’s Grave of the Song dynasty (960-1279 CE) in Chengdu, a multi-analytical approach, including polarizing microscope, scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used for the complete characterization of the ancient inkslab and the collected sample materials of this inkslab. The comparison of the results about mineral structure, major, trace and rare earth elements (REE) suggested that this unearthed inkslab of Song dynasty was Pu inkslab, which was famous in Pujiang County of Chengdu, and conjectured that its particular structure made it show the good inking performance. This work provided a reliable basis for the study of the historical and cultural inheritance of the Gao family, providing more direct evidence for the produce and development of the inkslab in the Song Dynasty.

Download Full-text

PIXE Analysis of Ancient Egyptian Pigments (Case Study)

Journal of Nano Research ◽

10.4028/www.scientific.net/jnanor.8.71 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 8 ◽

pp. 71-77 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

A. Shaaban ◽

Mona F. Ali ◽

A. Turos ◽

A. Korman ◽

Anna Stonert

Keyword(s):

Paint Layer ◽

Optical Microscope ◽

Small Samples ◽

Acquisition Time ◽

Pixe Analysis ◽

X Ray ◽

Ancient Egyptian ◽

Light Optical Microscope ◽

Medinet Habu ◽

Green Pigments

Particle Proton–Induced X-Ray Emission (PIXE) is one of the most sensitive analytical methods which can be used in the study of ancient mural paintings - especially pigments. It requires small samples or tiny fragments of the paint layer. It is a non-destructive technique and provides data on elemental concentrations. Analysis can be performed in vacuum or in air. The major advantage of this technique is the ability to analyze simultaneously both elements and trace elements present in the sample. Another advantage is the short data acquisition time. This research studies red, yellow, blue and green pigments used in the tomb of Ramesses III (N.11 - 1198 BC), the tomb of Tohthmous III- (N.34 - 1504 BC), both located at the Valley of the Kings Luxor, and also, Medinet Habu temple of Ramesses II (1198 -1166 BC) located at the West Bank of Luxor. The study was performed by using light Optical Microscope (LOM) and Particle Proton–Induced X-Ray Emission (PIXE).

Download Full-text

The Evolution Process of the Ancient Chinese Yaozhou Porcelain

MRS Proceedings ◽

10.1557/proc-462-405 ◽

1996 ◽

Vol 462 ◽

Author(s):

P. L. Leung ◽

Luo Hongjie ◽

Li Jiazhi ◽

Michael J. Stokes

Keyword(s):

Statistical Analysis ◽

Chemical Composition ◽

Song Dynasty ◽

Raw Materials ◽

Batch Composition ◽

Evolution Process ◽

X Ray ◽

The Song Dynasty ◽

The Ancient Chinese ◽

Almost All

ABSTRACTThe chemical composition (body and glaze) of over thirty Yaozhou porcelain fragments are determined by X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis. Statistical analysis of these results combined with data already published indicate that the full evolution process of Yaozhou porcelain can be divided into four stages. Each stage exhibits a characteristic composition determined by the raw materials and batch composition used to produce the porcelain bodies and glazes. Almost all of Yaozhou celadon and white ware glazes belong predominantly to the CaO-type glaze (or lime glaze), but the glazes of the Song Dynasty (A.D. 960–1280) and later periods have higher K2O content and less CaO than the earlier periods.

Download Full-text