Possibilities and Limitations of Non-Invasive Analytical Methods in the Examination of Garnet- and Niello-Inlaid Precious Metal Objects – Case Study of Three Polychrome Animal-Style Silver Buckles from the 5th-Century Carpathian Basin

Bibliographic Data

ID21808663
AuthorsViktória Mozgai (0000-0001-9712-2773, Institute for Geological and Geochemical Research, corresponding author), Eszter Horváth (0009-0007-4650-0392, Eötvös Loránd University), Bernadett Bajnóczi (0000-0003-0006-7611, HUN-REN Research Centre for Astronomy and Earth Sciences)
Year2021
Volume12
Issue1
Pages45-67
Publication date2021-05-07
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueInterdisciplinaria Archaeologica - Natural Sciences in Archaeology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1804-848X • E-ISSN: 2336-1220
PublisherUniversity of Hradec Kralove (PUBLISHER • CZ)
DOI10.24916/iansa.2021.1.4
OpenAlexW3162731794
LanguageEN
Citations received4
References cited11

The use of non-destructive and non-invasive analytical methods is widespread in the archaeometric study of metal objects, particularly in the case of precious metal artefacts, from which sampling is not, or in a limited way, allowed due to their high value. In this study, we highlight the main advantages and limitations of non-destructive analytical methods used on three polychrome animal-style silver buckles from the mid-to-late-5th-century Carpathian Basin. Optical microscopic observations, handheld XRF, SEM-EDX and μ-XRD analyses were performed to determine the chemical composition of the metals and their decoration (gilding, garnet and niello inlays), as well as the microtexture and mineralogical composition of the niello, in order to gain a better understanding of the materials used and reconstruct the manufacturing techniques in detail. The buckles were manufactured from relatively high-quality silver derived from the re-use of gilded silver scrap metal and intentionally alloyed with brass or leaded brass. The presence of mercury indicated the use of fire gilding. The niello inlays are composed of mixed silver-copper sulphides, even reaching the composition of pure copper sulphide; this is for the first time, when copper sulphide niello is observed on a silver object. The almandine garnets most probably originate from Southern India and Sri Lanka

Archaeology · Brass · Composite material · Copper · Flake · Geography · Metal · Metallurgy · Mineralogy · Polychrome · Precious metal · Archaeological Research and Protection · Archaeology and ancient environmental studies · Cultural Heritage Materials Analysis · Materials Science · Geology

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