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This work describes experimental results concerning the chemical composition of the alloy patina and inlays from the medieval copper alloy door of the cathedral of Troia (southern Italy), dating back to 1127 CE. The analyses were conducted in situ with no sampling or sample preparation required, using a portable energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence (ED-XRF) instrument. The compositional results show that the two door leaves were made using a binary alloy of copper and lead, while the nails, lion protomes, and handles have a different chemical composition. Moreover, the analyses revealed uniform concentrations of chlorine, probably due to cleaning treatments during the restoration. It is important to emphasise that the obtained results are the only ones related to this valuable masterpiece analysed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Not destructive investigation on the outdoor copper monument by using EDXRF portable instrument. • Micro-sampling of the patinas on the statue Sant'Oronzo and their analysis. • Evaluation of the chemical composition of copper patina. • Elaboration of the archaeometric analysis to acquire useful information for the restoration of the monument. The Sant'Oronzo statue (Lecce, Southern Italy) consists of an internal wooden structure, completely covered with copper sheets, lying on a concrete base about 1.5 m high, which is placed on the top of a Roman column about 29 m high. Lecce may be classified as urban site since it is mainly influenced by vehicular traffic and it is not affected by intense industrial emissions. In the time schedule of the restoration, first of all, non-destructive analyses were planned. In particular, a portable energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (ED-XRF) was used in order to map the composition of the patinas and to evaluate their degradation. Subsequently, a micro-sampling was performed both of the statue and the column. The collected samples were analysed by using Raman spectroscopy and X-Ray Diffraction in order to evaluate chemical composition. This paper summarizes the archaeometric results and the diagnostic information obtained before of the restoration, which are significant for the restorers' subsequent work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper summarizes the experimental results concerning the Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence (EDXRF) analysis of patinas on two Riace Bronzes, kept in the National Archaeological Museum of Reggio Calabria (Calabria, Southern Italy). The two large Greek sculptures, famous nude bearded warriors both dated in the fifth century BC, are without a doubt, two masterpieces of inestimable historic and artistic value. EDXRF survey had the aim to determinate the chemical composition of the surface of these two bronze statues and to discriminate their different patinas. In particular, the concentration of sulphur, chlorine, tin, manganese, iron, copper, zinc and lead was determined by using a portable apparatus. Multivariate statistical analysis was carried out in order to identify possible correlations and/or differences of elemental composition among the patinas of these two statues. The information obtained made it possible to improve knowledge about the patinas of the Riace Bronzes, and this may help further studies and subsequent methods of restoration and/or of preservation of the two celebrated Greek sculptures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In this paper we report the experimental results of the study of evaluation of an UV laser cleaning treatment on a bronze bell outdoor, dating from the second half of the 600. Energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) non-destructive analysis was performed on the bell before, during and after the cleaning treatment in order to assess the laser ablation threshold, to define the efficiency of laser cleaning process, to avoid possible damage of laser on the bell, to determine the concentration of the constituents of both the patina and the alloy. In particular, an EDXRF portable apparatus was used in order to evaluate the variation of concentration of sulfur, chlorine, calcium, copper, lead and tin during the laser cleaning. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]