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Preliminary Technical Study of Medieval Limoges Enamels

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 February 2011

Pete Dandridge
Affiliation:
Objects Conservation Department, Metropolitan Museum of Art 1000 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10028, U.S.A.
Mark T. Wypyski
Affiliation:
Objects Conservation Department, Metropolitan Museum of Art 1000 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10028, U.S.A.
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Abstract

Enamels from Northern Spain, Central France, and Limoges, dating from the 10th century to the mid 13th century, were analyzed by energy dispersive x-ray spectrometry and x-ray diffractometry to determine their overall compositions, and the opacifiers and colorants used. The compositions suggest the re-use of Roman tesserae. Calcium and lead antimonates were found as the predominant opacifiers; however, tin oxide and lead-tin yellow were also found in some of the enamels, either singly or in combination with the antimonates. One of the enamels from Limoges varied from the others in that the enamels had overall compositions similar to Islamic or Venetian glasses, and contained only tin oxide as an opacifier.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 1992

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