Analytical study of traditional decorative materials and techniques used in Ming Dynasty wooden architecture. The case of the Drum Tower in Xi’an, P.R. of China

A multi-analytical approach to investigate date-unknown paintings of Chinese Taoist priests

“…When (or more precisely, how soon) emerald green or synthetic ultramarine blue was imported into China after their invention has remained an open question for quite a long time, because no documentation was available to help trace the exact dates for early importation of these two pigments into China. Some recent technical studies have reported the use of emerald green and/or synthetic ultramarine blue on Chinese painted artifacts (e.g., Cheng et al 2007;Huang 2006) or architectural wall paintings (e.g., Li et al 2014;Mazzeo et al 2004;Shen et al 2006;Wang 2000) that were dated to the Late Qing Dynasty (1840( -1911. The earliest use of emerald green so far reported in Chinese art seems to be dated to 1869 AD (Shen et al 2006) and synthetic ultramarine blue to a roughly contemporaneous (if not later) date (Wang 2000).…”

Near infrared spectroscopic studies on coatings of 19th century wooden parquets from manor houses in South-Eastern Poland

“…Gas chromatography was suggested by Popescu et al [10] as a method to certify the presence of linseed oil in old paintings. Mazzeo et al [11] proposed X-ray analysis (SEM-EDX), X-ray diffraction, pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry for characterization of the inorganic pigments composition and the binding media from paint samples. Generally, techniques requiring micro-sampling of varnishes are used to elucidate the layers structure as well as to analyse the chemical composition of the finishing substances [12].…”

The identification of binding agent used in late Shang Dynasty turquoise-inlayed bronze objects excavated in Anyang

“…Moreover, the high fragmentation of natural macromolecules during pyrolysis forms many unspecific compounds. To overcome these problems, Py-GC/MS with thermal assisted hydrolysis and methylation technique were applied (Mazzeo et al, 2004;Cappitelli et al, 2002;Chiavari et al, 2001;Piccirillo et al, 2005;Le Hô et al, 2012;Schilling, 2014). Tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH) is one of the most commonly used reagents for the online methylation of acidic and alcoholic moieties.…”