Blue pigments in Cave 256, Mogao Grottoes: a systematic analysis of murals and statues in Five dynasties, Song Dynasty and Qing Dynasty

Abstract Murals of Cave 256, Mogao Grottoes consist several layers, with the outermost layer overlays all others. The bottom was painted in five dynasties. mural Song Dynasty. Statues were repainted Qing We found that different blue pigments are used multilayer murals which reflects social development at time to a certain extent. In order know type pigments, technology such as X-ray diffraction, microscopic FTIR spectroscopy and polarizing microscope for analysis trace samples based on non-destructive research through portable fluorescence. As result, we Lazurite pigment Five Dynasties Azurite Smalt statues Dynasty first discovered Grottoes. It can be inferred from discovery smalt 256 half nineteenth century.