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Investigation of Decorative Coating on Kongo Ceramics Using U. V. Light and Ftir Analysis

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 February 2011

Madeleine R. Hexter  and
Walter R. Hopwood
Madeleine R. Hexter
Affiliation:
Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of African Art, Washington, DC 20560
Walter R. Hopwood
Affiliation:
Smithsonian Institution, Conservation Analytical Laboratory, Washington, DC 20560
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Abstract

The ethnographic and art historical literature reports the use of vegetable resins on Central African ceramics, specifically those made by the Kongo peoples. The purpose of this investigation was to develop a procedure for determining the nature of decorative coatings generally on African ceramics. The investigation focused on a group of Kongo ceramics. FTIR spectra of known resins were obtained and compared with several samples taken from Kongo ceramics. The ceramics were also examined under U.V. light. This paper discusses the results of the examinations and analysis.

Type
Research Article
Information
MRS Online Proceedings Library (OPL) , Volume 267: Symposium J – Materials Issues in Art and Archaeology III , 1992 , 291
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 1992

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