Synchrotron radiation microtomography of musical instruments: a non-destructive monitoring technique for insect infestations

Abstract

-X-ray computed tomography is becoming a common technique for the structural analysis of samples of cultural relevance, providing luthiers, art historians, conservators and restorators with a unique tool for the characterization of musical instruments. Synchrotron-radiation phase-contrast microtomography is an ideal technique for the non-destructive 3D analysis of samples where small lowabsorbing details such as larvae and eggs can be detected. We report results from the first feasibility studies performed at the Elettra synchrotron laboratory, where the 1494 organ by Lorenzo Gusnasco da Pavia has been studied. Together with important information about the structural conditions, the presence of xylophages could be detected and characterized.

Note to chew on: insect damage to musical instruments

“…Based on a systematic search of Scopus and Web of Science (all databases) in October 2019 (see Supplementary Materials for details, including citation and reference list searching), 339 articles were identified; five of which met the inclusion criteria, 5–9 with three additional relevant articles 10–12 identified through screening of the citation and reference lists of the included studies (Fig. 1).…”

“…The instruments examined were violins, 9–12 cellos, 10–12 an African drum, 7 pianos, 6 and the only surviving paper organ (built 1494) 5 . A museum's collection of musical instruments was also examined, 8 but did not report specific instruments.…”

“…A museum's collection of musical instruments was also examined, 8 but did not report specific instruments. Two additional studies 5,7 reported on instruments held within museums but did include specifics about the instruments, while the source or storage of the instruments in the remaining studies was not reported.…”

“…Four of the eight included studies 5–7,9 detected larvae within the instrument. Damage in all cases consisted of holes in the instrument, with wood pulp also detected for one 7 .…”

“…Detections were made using computer tomography (CT) in five studies 5,9–12 and acoustic emission in another 7 . In two articles 7,9 the instrument damage was known prior to examining the instrument, with the focus of these studies being on testing the validity of detection methods.…”