Micro-Raman spectroscopic studies of Byzantine cultural heritage in Republic of Macedonia

Authors

  • Biljana Minčeva-Šukarova Institute of Chemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Ss. Cyril & Methodius University, Skopje,
  • Orhideja Grupče Institute of Chemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Ss. Cyril & Methodius University, Skopje,
  • Vinka Tanevska Institute of Chemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Ss. Cyril & Methodius University, Skopje,
  • Lidija Robeva-Čukovska National Conservation Center, Central Laboratory, Evlija Čelebija bb, Skopje,
  • Svetlana Mamučevska-Miljković National Conservation Center, Central Laboratory, Evlija Čelebija bb, Skopje,

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.20450/mjcce.2007.264

Keywords:

micro-Raman spectroscopy, pigments, Byzantine glazed ceramics, icons and wall paintings

Abstract

In the last decade, micro-Raman spectroscopy is recognized as one of the powerful non-destructive analytical techniques for physical-chemical characterization of cultural heritage artifactsartefacts. Activities regarding the use of micro-Raman spectroscopy in characterization of archaeological objects were recently carried out in Republic of Macedonia. As a pilot project, pigment analysis (1) in the underlayer and overlayer (from the 17th and from the 19th century, respectively) of the wall paintings in Sveta Bogorodica Church in Lešok and (2) in the paints (blue, red, orange, green and yellow) used in six icons painted by Dičo Zograf, in three different churches in the Skopje region, was undertaken. The pigments used, as well as their mixtures, were identified using micro-Raman spectroscopy. In order to achieve some understanding and characterization of the materials of the Byzantine glazed ceramic finds in Republic of Macedonia, as well as to obtain information on their manufacturing technology, micro-Raman spectra of fifteen glazed fragments, all dated from 12th to 15th century, were recorded. Based on their Raman spectra, it was possible to estimate the firing temperature of the analyzed glazes.

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V. Tanevska, Ph. Colomban, V. Andrić, O. Grupče, B. Minčeva-Šukarova, A. Tournié, Study of Byzantine glazed ceramic finds in Republic of Macedonia by μ-Raman, IR and XRF spectroscopy, Cultural Heritage and Science: An Interdisciplinary Approach for the Conservation of Museum Objects, Ghent, Belgium, 2006, pp. 87.

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Published

2007-12-15

How to Cite

Minčeva-Šukarova, B., Grupče, O., Tanevska, V., Robeva-Čukovska, L., & Mamučevska-Miljković, S. (2007). Micro-Raman spectroscopic studies of Byzantine cultural heritage in Republic of Macedonia. Macedonian Journal of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, 26(2), 103–110. https://doi.org/10.20450/mjcce.2007.264

Issue

Section

Spectroscopy