Terracotta

Robert B. Faltermeier <info [at] faltermeier__biz> writes

>I found the following statement on an other discussion group.
>
>   "Old terracotta's have manganese metallic traces that are easily
>    recognisable by visual inspection, they look like lichens and
>    can be used to authenticate."
>
>Has anyone researched this, is there a paper or article about this?

Further to Helena Jaeschke's recommendation of a paper by Caitlin
O'Grady on manganese dioxide (MnO2) accretions (see Conservation
DistList Instance: 20:31 Saturday, December 9, 2006), you might also
find it helpful to consult the literature review by O'Grady in
Reviews in Conservation 6 (2005): "The occurrence of rock varnish on
stone and ceramic artifacts". She addresses authentication and
reviews relevant research. See:

    O'Grady, C.,
    "The occurrence of rock varnish on stone and ceramic artifacts"
     Reviews in Conservation 6-2005-31-38.

Enquiries regarding back issues of the journal should be addressed
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Noelle Streeton
Managing Editor
Reviews in Conservation


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 20:32
                 Distributed: Sunday, December 17, 2006
                       Message Id: cdl-20-32-010
                                  ***