title: Micro-analytical study of a rare papier-mâché sculpture.
abstract: The analysis of a Portuguese "papier-mâché" sculpture depicting Saint Anthony is presented in this case study. Several questions were addressed such as the characteristics of the support, pigments used, and artistic technique in order to establish a possible timeline for its production. Qualitative analyses of the cross-sections and of the paper support were performed by optical microscopy using reflected light. Two polychrome layers from different periods and a rag pulped support were identified on the sculpture. The use of micro X-ray fluorescence and Raman microscopy techniques enabled the differentiation of coloring materials used in both polychromies. Semi-quantitative analyses of the gilded samples were also performed by scanning electron microscopy in combination with energy-dispersive spectroscopy allowing the determination of a common Au-Ag-Cu alloy with differences in the purity of the gold. The identified coloring materials lead us to believe that the sculpture was produced in the 19th century, being overpainted in the first half of the 20th century.
authors.affiliation: 1Centro de Física Atómica da Universidade de Lisboa,Av. Professor Gama Pinto 2,1649-003 Lisboa,Portugal.
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Manso
authors.affiliation: 3Geobiotec/Departamento de Geociências,Campus Universitário de Santiago,3810-193 Aveiro,Portugal.
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bidarra
authors.affiliation: 1Centro de Física Atómica da Universidade de Lisboa,Av. Professor Gama Pinto 2,1649-003 Lisboa,Portugal.
authors.forename: Stéphane
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Longelin
authors.affiliation: 1Centro de Física Atómica da Universidade de Lisboa,Av. Professor Gama Pinto 2,1649-003 Lisboa,Portugal.
authors.forename: Sofia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pessanha
authors.affiliation: 5Arquivo Municipal de Lisboa,Rua B Bairro da Liberdade,Lote 3-6, Piso 0,1070-050 Lisboa,Portugal.
authors.forename: Adriana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ferreira
authors.affiliation: 1Centro de Física Atómica da Universidade de Lisboa,Av. Professor Gama Pinto 2,1649-003 Lisboa,Portugal.
authors.forename: Mauro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Guerra
authors.affiliation: 3Geobiotec/Departamento de Geociências,Campus Universitário de Santiago,3810-193 Aveiro,Portugal.
authors.forename: João
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Coroado
authors.affiliation: 1Centro de Física Atómica da Universidade de Lisboa,Av. Professor Gama Pinto 2,1649-003 Lisboa,Portugal.
authors.forename: Luísa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Carvalho
keywords: SEM-EDS