PhD in Technologies for Cultural Heritage - since XXXVI Cycle

Contacts

Supervisor

Phd thesis

Doctoral Thesis Research Topic: Benedetta’s project focuses on the first systematic archaeometric study of Chinese polychrome and/or glazed pottery statuettes attributed to the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD) and preserved in the main European collections of Oriental art. The research is based on the comprehensive characterization of the materials to get insight into the manufacturing process and to extrapolate information on the identity and authenticity of such artefacts. The project consists of several steps. The first involves the in situ investigation of the figurines using portable instruments (microscopes, fibre optics reflectance and portable x-ray fluorescence spectrometers) within the museum context. The preliminary analysis allows the identification of suitable sampling zones from the ceramic bodies, glaze and paint layers. In the second step, representative micro-fragments are characterised as cross-sections exploiting complementary laboratory-based micro-techniques (micro-Raman, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray powder diffraction). The final phase involves data processing and interpretation with experts in Chinese art and archaeology. The research has enabled the first archaeometric data collection of Tang-style artefacts stored outside archaeological contexts. The results of the systematic research will provide valuable information not only to the cultural heritage community but also to institutes involved in the authentication and provenance study of Oriental art artefacts widely available on the Western art market.

Research activities

CONFERENCES

1. B. Vitale, E. Diana, A. Agostino, T. Poli, M. C. Valsania, “Is my pretty Chinese Tang pottery horse authentic? Technological and compositional characterisation of Chinese Tang-style pottery for authentication purposes” – poster presentation during the XVII School on Synchrotron Radiation “Gilberto Vlaic”: Fundamentals, Methods and Applications, Trieste, Italy, Società Italiana Luce di Sincrotrone&Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste, September 16-26, 2024
2. B. Vitale, E. Diana, A. Agostino, T. Poli, M. C. Valsania, “Technological and compositional characterisation of Chinese Tang-style pottery” – contribution at the Società Chimica Italiana (SCI) 2024 – CHEMISTRY OF FUTURE – XXVIII National Congress, August 2024
3. B.Vitale, M. Labate, G. Facchinetti, I. Carlomagno, G. Aquilanti, M. Musa, C. Cucini, M. P. Riccardi, A. Agostino, “Multi-scale investigation of late-imperial Roman gold coins from the Treasure of Como: a comparative analysis of data from the portable instrument and synchrotron facility” - contribution at the SR2A 2023 –10^th International Conference on Synchrotron Radiation and Neutrons in Art and Archaeology, Munich, November 21-24, 2023.
4. M. Labate, G. Facchinetti, I. Carlomagno, G. Aquilanti, B. Vitale, M. Musa, C. Cucini, M. P. Riccardi, A. Agostino, “Feasibility study on quantification of trace elements in Roman gold coins by SR-XRF” - contribution at the SR2A 2023 –10^th International Conference on Synchrotron Radiation and Neutrons in Art and Archaeology, Munich, November 21-24, 2023.
5. B. Vitale, E. Diana, A. Agostino, M. G. Trivel, C. Orsini, “Scientific investigations of Tang Dynasty pottery figurines”, 8th Symposium on Archaeomaterial Studies in East Asia, University of Science and Technology, Beijing, August 2023.
6. B. Vitale, E. Diana, A. Agostino, M. G. Trivel, C. Orsini, “Scientific investigations of Tang Dynasty pottery figurines”, TECHNART 2023 - International conference on analytical techniques in art and cultural heritage, Lisbon, May 2023.
7. E. Diana, G. Cicero, G. Platania, M. Castellino, M. Fontana, B. Vitale, T. Poli, A. Collarin, M. Demmelbauer, F. Varallo & S. De Blasi, “Scientific study of a rare Chinese Buddhist silver reliquary”, XII Congresso Nazionale AIAr, April 2023.
8. B. Vitale, G. Berruto, E. Diana, R. Giustetto, V. Gugliermina, P. Croveri, V. Meirano, M. Demmelbauer & P. Manchinu, “Characterization of bronze disease for conservation purposes”, XII Congresso Nazionale AIAr 2023.

THIRD MISSION ACTIVITIES

"Il Giappone Antico - L'Alba del Sol Levante" - participation in the scientific committee and dissemination of the archaeometric analyses of the exhibition at the E. Chiossone Museum of Genova.

UNIGHT - European Researchers’ Night 2024. Dissemination and sharing activities about cultural heritage chemistry and diagnostics and superconductor materials, September 2024.

“ApertaMenteChimica”. Dissemination and sharing activities about cultural heritage chemistry and diagnostics at the Chemistry Department of the University of Turin, May 2023 and May 2024.

“Bambine e& bambini. Un giorno all’università” Chemistry laboratories host student from primary school for experimental activities, a. a. 2022/23 and 2023/24.

“Attività di coinvolgimento e interazione con il mondo della scuola” at the I. I. S. Copernico-Luxemburg (Torino), laboratory activities about the contribution of the chemical analyisis in art, February 2023.