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A better shade of black: effects of manufacturing parameters on the development of ancient black bronzes

Benzonelli, A; Freestone, I; Martinon-Torres, M; (2017) A better shade of black: effects of manufacturing parameters on the development of ancient black bronzes. Archaeometry , 59 (6) pp. 1034-1049. 10.1111/arcm.12299. Green open access

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Abstract

Alloys with controlled contents of Sn, Ag and Au, were treated with methods and solutions that mimic those used in ancient and traditional procedures for the production of black bronze. Examination of the resulting patinas with colorimetry, SEM-EDS, TEM, Raman Spectroscopy, and XRD revealed no systematic differences according to fabrication method, whereas patina homogeneity and colour in those alloys which did not contain precious metal were affected by superficial work. Patina microstructure determines adherence and coverage, and depends upon solution used irrespective of the alloy composition, but the colour of the patina is mainly related to alloy composition. Gold promotes the development of cuprite, slowing the oxidation to tenorite in the corrosion process. Gold additions produce a more uniform patina as well as a desirable blue-black tone which is likely to have been a factor in alloy selection.

Type: Article
Title: A better shade of black: effects of manufacturing parameters on the development of ancient black bronzes
Open access status: An open access version is available from UCL Discovery
DOI: 10.1111/arcm.12299
Publisher version: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/arcm.12299
Language: English
Additional information: This version is the author accepted manuscript. For information on re-use, please refer to the publisher’s terms and conditions.
Keywords: black bronze alloys, artificial patination, colouring, gold, experimental replication.
UCL classification: UCL
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL SLASH
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL SLASH > Faculty of S&HS
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL SLASH > Faculty of S&HS > Institute of Archaeology
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL SLASH > Faculty of S&HS > Institute of Archaeology > Institute of Archaeology Gordon Square
URI: https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/1540042
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