A multi-analytical study of historical coated plaster surfaces: the examination of a nineteenth-century V&A cast of a tombstone

Abstract A multi-analytical study was designed to characterise historical coated plaster surfaces. The method applied investigate the surface coatings of nineteenth-century cast tombstone Presbyter Bruno that belongs Victoria and Albert Museum collection. At first, selected samples object were examined with Visible Light Reflectance Ultra-Violet Fluorescence Optical Microscopy (VLR- UV f -OM respectively) Scanning Electron (SEM) demonstrating a consistent stratigraphy featuring bulk, an interface uppermost layer. latter layer appeared consist aged coating dirt. Overpainted repaired areas generated had additional layers on top aforementioned stratigraphy. seemed be varnish or not been absorbed bulk has observed in couple samples. Elemental characterization carried out energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) further analyses performed diffraction (XRD) Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) focal plane array (FPA) imaging which confirmed is made gypsum containing mostly silicate carbonate inclusions. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) pyrolysis-GC/MS extraction methods based n-propanol followed by pentafluoropropionic anhydride (PFPA), tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH) 3-trifluoromethylphenyltrimethylammonium (m-TFPTAH) detect organic media. results suggest medium used for diterpenic resin contained silicon, aluminium traces other inorganic elements. overpainted alkyd resins in-paints characterised as blend silicon barium at varied concentrations. This approach can generate better understanding manufacturing, component materials conservation issues objects.