Zeitschrift für Kunst- und Sozialwissenschaften

Analysis of the Colors of the Antique Portrait Terracotta Found in the Kerch Bay

Abstract

Greshnikov EA, Antsiferova AA, Dorovatovskii PV, Kashkarov PK, Presniakova NN, Malakhov SN, Olkhovskii SV, Svetogorov RD, Yatsishina EB, Kovalchuk MV and Makarov NA

The article is devoted to various studies of the antique terracotta performed as a man’s bearded head, which was found in the Kerch bay during underwater excavations. It was successfully attempted to reconstruct the initial coloring of the terracotta and to set the palette composition of the ancient painters using the complex of analytical techniques such as optical and scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis, X-ray diffraction and infrared spectroscopy. As a result of the research the polychromic character of the decor was established and the composition of the pigments was determined. Sandarac and the manganese iron compounds were used as a dark brown pigment for the hair, beard and mustache coloring of the ceramic sculpture. The red ocher and gypsum were used for the lip coloring. It is supposed that the terracotta was used as a decoration element of a ship.