Analytical Characterization of Some Historic Stucco Busts from Muhammad Ali Family, Egypt |
| A.M.A. Kamela, M.A. El Ghanamb, M.S.A. Khedrc
aDepartment of Conservation, Faculty of Archaeology, Cairo University, 12613 Giza, Egypt bGeneral Manager of Conservation and Restoration of Manial Palace, Ministry of Antiquities, Cairo, Egypt cConservator at Manial Palace, Ministry of Antiquities, Cairo, Egypt |
| Received: February 14, 2018; revised version August 30, 2018; in final form December 28, 2018 |
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| The stucco busts of Muhammed Ali family had not received any adequate researches concerning the methods of implementation and conservation. Thus, this research will try to shed more light on them through studying three stucco busts kept in Prince Mohammed Ali's Museum in El Manial by USB digital microscope, photographing under UV light, X-ray diffraction, the Fourier transform infrared, and scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray analysis. The physicochemical study of the three stucco busts indicates that they are hollow cast stucco busts. Gypsum is the main component of these busts, in addition to traces of quartz and calcite. Zincite was used as a pigment in the white painting layer of Khedive Ismail stucco bust. The detection of greenalite, zincite, and barite testifies the whitish green painting layer of Khedive Tawfiq stucco bust. At the same time, the occurrence of hematite in Khedive Ismail stucco bust testifies the effect of iron nails corrosion. The Fourier transform infrared results indicate that the used organic media of pigments is glue. |
DOI:10.12693/APhysPolA.135.353 topics: characterization, stucco busts, gypsum, deterioration, casting, Manial Palace |