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Chinese Budhi ST Brconzes in the Freer Gallery of Art: Physical Features and Elemental Composition

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 February 2011

Paul J Eit  and
Janet G. Douglas
Paul J Eit
Affiliation:
Freer Gallery of Art/Arthur M. Sackler Gallery Department of Conservation and Scientific Research Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C. 20560
Janet G. Douglas
Affiliation:
Freer Gallery of Art/Arthur M. Sackler Gallery Department of Conservation and Scientific Research Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C. 20560
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Abstract

Technical studies were performed on one hundred and seven Chinese copper-alloy sculptures dating from the fifth to the nineteenth centuries A. D. in the collection of the Freer Gallery of Art. X-radiography, stereomicroscopy and metallography were used to determine various physical features; atomic absorption spectroscopy was used to characterize the metal composition. All sculptures were determined to be cast by the lost wax method, and details were tooled by engraving and chasing. Metallographic examination and microprobe analysis showed that the gilding technique used was mercury gilding. Bronzes from the Northern Wei to the Song dynasty are similar in their physical characteristics and alloy type, leaded tin bronze. Beginning in the Ming dynasty, an increase in the amount of zinc is found, both as an impurity in tin bronzes and as a brass alloy constituent.

Type
Research Article
Information
MRS Online Proceedings Library (OPL) , Volume 267: Symposium J – Materials Issues in Art and Archaeology III , 1992 , 205
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 1992

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