Spectroscopic investigation and comprehensive analysis of the polychrome clay sculpture of Hua Yan Temple of the Liao Dynasty.

ABSTRACT

This article shows the investigation results of the polychrome clay sculptures in Hua Yan Temple of the Liao Dynasty in Datong, China. The mineral pigments, adhesive and painting techniques used in these cultural relics were systematically analyzed in this project. Optical microscope (OM), Scanning electron microscope coupled with an energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), micro-Raman, Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FT-IR) and Pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS) analyses were selected as scientific micro-destructive analytical methods. The results show that the pigments in the polychrome clay sculptures include cinnabar, lead red, malachite, atacamite, azurite, orpiment and gold. Meanwhile, the presence of nitrogen-containing substances and glue-marker characteristic pyrolysis products clearly indicates that the adhesive used in most of the polychrome clay sculptures was glue-protein. Additionally, the combination of heat-bodied tung oil and glue-protein was also found in the golden areas.