Conservar Património

Colours of the Tijomel ceramic manufacture (1941-1992): characterisation of a set of ceramic colourants and glazed tiles from Decormel Materials Catalogue

2023-09-08T08:47:49+01:00

Tijomel was considered one of the most modern ceramic manufacturers in the Iberian Peninsula in the mid-20th century. Located at Caxarias (Ourém, Portugal), this manufacturer produced diverse ceramic-based architectural materials, from common clay bricks to sophisticated modernist azulejos. Recently members of the family of the former Tijomel Manufacture owners retrieved a collection of 33 raw materials, mostly ceramic colourants. In this study, the chemical characterisation of these ceramic colourants was performed and compared with an azulejos commercial catalogue of the same manufacturer entitled Decormel Catalogue. The recovered raw materials and azulejos were investigated using a multi-analytical approach comprising h-EDXRF and μ-XRD to obtain their elemental and mineralogical composition and HSI and colourimetry to analyse their optical properties. Results provided a glimpse of the wide variety of ceramic colourants used in mid-20th century and showed that Tijomel combined the use of traditional azulejo colourants with more recent compositions.

Searching for the original portrait of Afonso de Albuquerque – new revelations from the Viceroys Gallery of Goa

2023-04-06T17:22:31+01:00

This paper is dedicated to the research undertaken to discover the original portrait of Afonso de Albuquerque from the Viceroys Gallery of Goa. Following a previous research which confirmed that the portrait exhibited at the National Museum of Ancient Art, in Lisbon is, in fact, the result of successive interventions over another Governor’s painting, the question arose whether the original portrait still existed among the remaining collection, in Goa. In the context of the project Old Goa Revelations, where a team of Portuguese and Indian researchers carried out, for the first time, a joint scientific study on portraits from this collection, it was possible to collect new data in this regard. Indeed, associating the results from multianalytical and multispectral examinations with historical and iconographic sources, the location of the lost portrait was finally revealed. It was discovered that the panel had been reused for the depiction of a later Governor.

Relocation and reuse of iron architecture in the contemporary period – case studies in Seville and Badajoz (Spain)

2022-05-13T16:04:28+01:00

The dismantling, relocation and reassembly of iron architecture has been a process almost inherent to this type of building since the most complex works were built in the mid-19th century. However, the passing of time and the lack of appreciation for these buildings has meant that fewer and fewer buildings made of this material managed to survive to this day. In this context, two case studies were considered: the old Badajoz food market and the old Círculo de Labradores de Sevilla fair booth, buildings made of iron dismantled and reassembled in a different location. The aim of this article is, on the one hand, to analyse how this relocation took place from a constructive point of view and, on the other hand, to contribute to the discussion on the following issue: are all uses appropriate when it comes to the reuse of industrial architecture?

Iron gall inks and their preservation – case study: 16th century documents in the Archivo Histórico Provincial de Santa Cruz de Tenerife

2023-08-31T11:12:18+01:00

Iron gall inks were used for centuries, which is why most institutions keep a multitude of manuscripts with this type of ink. The main problem that affects these artefacts is corrosion due to the ink composition. The main objective of this paper is to define an inspection protocol for documents from the 16th century found in the Archivo Histórico Provincial de Santa Cruz de Tenerife, which can also be applied to similar manuscripts. This protocol involves the inspection of each document with diffuse and transmitted visible light, UV radiation and digital optical microscopy. In addition, a Kodak Gray Scale was used to evaluate the colour depth of the inks. This inspection indicates that a significant proportion of the documents analysed are in condition 3 and 4, meaning in poor and bad condition, which indicates a high level of vulnerability.

Geometrical and constructive analysis of the choir and crossing timber frames of the church of St. María (Alaejos, Valladolid)

2023-10-20T11:49:06+01:00

This article presents a geometrical and constructive analysis of two significant carpentry works in the church of Santa María (Alaejos, Valladolid): the choir platform and the coffered ceiling of the transept. Both timber frames belong to the same historical period (between the 16th and 17th centuries), and have similar construction solutions, so they could have been probably made by the same author. The research was focused on the several pieces that configure these carpentry works. A design and construction hypothesis was then developed, including both the structural elements and some decorative elements, such as the muqarnas. This was done through a survey carried out with a laser scanner, which has provided us with an accurate 3D model. This study aims to deepen the knowledge of these carpentry works. We also provide graphic and written descriptions of both their current state and hypothetical internal configuration, which we believe could be useful for future conservation work.