Abstract
A unique shield grip decorated with openwork rivet plates was found in a Roman Period cemetery of the Przeworsk culture in Czersk, Central Poland. The artefact underwent specialist analyses with the use of various techniques in order to reveal its silvering technology. Several silvering techniques were considered as the most probable: foil silvering, mercury silvering and silver plating. A number of complementary analytical methods such as laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS), scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray (SEM-EDX), X-ray diffraction and neutron techniques were used in the examinations. Two silvering technologies were identified: foil silvering and mechanical treatment of silver pieces. On the basis of the specific correlation of maximum contents of silver (Ag), copper (Cu) and tin (Sn) in external layers of the artefact, it was found out that the surface of the openwork plates had been first covered with alloy with a high content of tin and copper as a solder. Then, a thin silver foil was applied onto it. On the other hand, combs of the shield grip were ornamented using non-soldering technology, i.e. hammering and punching.
Highlights
Ornamentation of plates with the use of silvering processes was a difficult task to perform, which can be a reason for the absence of such artefacts in the territory of present-day Poland
Such a chemical composition may imply that recycled alloy was used in this case, which was a common practice in ancient Rome
The extensive physico-chemical analysis of the unique shield grip from Czersk provided an insight into its structure and allowed for the identification of two silvering technologies which were used for the ornamentation of the artefact
Summary
Ornamentation of plates with the use of silvering processes was a difficult task to perform, which can be a reason for the absence of such artefacts in the territory of present-day Poland. Shield grips which bear some visual similarity have been found in Radved in Jutland (Kjaer 1900: p.114ff, Fig. 3; Watt 2003, Fig. 9b), Brodstrup in Öland Island, Sweden (Rasch 1991: p.109) and Hamfelde, Kreis Herzogtum Lauenburg, Germany (Bantelman 1971: p.124). Warszawa, Poland 5 Institute of History, Jan Długosz University, Częstochowa, Poland concerning possible ornamentation analogies outside the territory of the Przeworsk culture. It informs us about trade directions in the Roman Period. Visual features of all the mentioned grips are similar, almost no silvered layers survived to our times, apart from the ornamentation on the artefact from Czersk.
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