Abstract
Three bronze vessels from the ancient Chinese art collection at the Art Institute of Chicago (AIC) were examined—with the advanced non-invasive characterization capabilities of high-energy synchrotron X-ray diffraction performed at the Advanced Photon Source (APS) of Argonne National Laboratory (ANL)—to create a comprehensive overview of each object’s manufacture as well as subsequent corrosion processes. Findings were also complemented with traditional non-invasive characterization techniques, including optical imaging, X-ray radiographic imaging, and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometry. The results—obtained without sampling—allow a clear distinction between genuinely ancient Chinese bronzes from those with modern restorations and from “archaistic” objects made many centuries later, in emulation of ancient styles.
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Young, M.L., Casadio, F., Schnepp, S. et al. Non-invasive characterization of manufacturing techniques and corrosion of ancient Chinese bronzes and a later replica using synchrotron X-ray diffraction. Appl. Phys. A 100, 635–646 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00339-010-5646-8
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00339-010-5646-8