Different shades, various metals
A multianalytical investigation on Iranian copper-based artifacts (7th–14th century CE) from the Metropolitan Museum of Art
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 6012787 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Martina Rugiadi (Metropolitan Museum of Art), Jean-François De Lapérouse (0000-0002-7610-4186, Metropolitan Museum of Art), Federico Carò (0000-0003-2931-6685, Metropolitan Museum of Art) |
| Year | 2025 |
| Volume | 17 |
| Issue | 12 |
| Publication date | 2025-11-22 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1866-9557 • E-ISSN: 1866-9565 |
| Publisher | Springer Nature (PUBLISHER • SG) |
| DOI | 10.1007/s12520-025-02365-6 |
| OpenAlex | W4416535552 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 1 |
| References cited | 37 |
A group of copper-based artifacts in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, lacking clear archaeological provenance, has been attributed to early and pre-modern Islamic Iran based on their stylistic features and forms. To gain insight into the materials and metalworking techniques used in their production, these artifacts were subjected to microanalytical investigation. A non-invasive micro-XRF technique was employed to characterize the alloy composition of the artifacts and their decorative inlays. Additionally, the microstructure of a selected group of artifacts was examined using scanning electron microscopy–energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and metallography techniques. The results revealed that the artifacts were produced with a range of copper-based alloys, including leaded ternary (Cu-Zn-Sn-Pb), high-tin bronze, and brass. The inlays consisted of silver (alloyed with copper), impure copper, and alloyed gold. The leaded ternary artifacts exhibited a cored cast microstructure with evidence of cold-working and numerous large lead globules, while the tin bronze and brass artifacts displayed signs of the thermo-mechanical operations used to shape them. Based on these findings, Iranian copper-based metalworking in the Islamic period is shown to have employed a variety of compositions as well as a range of shaping and decorative techniques
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Frameworks of Islamic Art and Architectural History
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The Emergence of Complex Metallurgy on the Iranian Plateau
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| Unique citing works | 1 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 1 |
| Citation span | 2026 - 2026 (1) |
| Citation velocity | current |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 1 |