Archaeometric investigations of the materials and techniques of two red figured kraters by the Painter of Louvre K 240

Abstract

Two very important red figured vases by the Painter of Louvre K 240 – the Acrobat krater preserved in the L. Bernabò-Brea Regional Archaeological Museum of Lipari (Sicily), and the Fleischman krater of the J. Paul Getty Villa (Malibu, Los Angeles) – were submitted to stylistic and archaeometric examination, the latter by powder-XRD, OM on thin sections, SEM + EDS on polished sections, and FTIR to characterise the component materials (ceramic body, black glosses, pigments and media) and the manufacturing technique. The results indicate an identical illitic, slightly calcareous clay used for the manufacture of both vases that were then painted with a very similar slip, then turned a gloss black by firing in a reducing atmosphere. The provenance of the clay could not be precisely determined so far. Both kraters were also painted with a very similar technique, so that it may be concluded that they were produced by the same artist in a unique atelier yet to be identified.