AN ANCIENT CHINESE BRONZE FRAGMENT RE‐EXAMINED AFTER 50 YEARS: CONTRIBUTIONS FROM MODERN AND TRADITIONAL TECHNIQUES

Abstract

Modern analytical techniques, such as secondary ion mass spectrometry, inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy, in‐situ synchrotron X‐ray diffraction and Raman microscopy, alongside scanning electron microscopy with energy‐dispersive X‐ray analysis and powder X‐ray diffraction, were used to investigate bronze fragments from an ancient Chinese bronze vessel (also known as a hu) in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. Previous compositional results obtained by R. J. Gettens in 1951, using traditional optical metallography and powder X‐ray diffraction, were compared with the present analysis. The investigation provided a complete description of the composition of the ancient metal alloy and spatially resolved identification of the major and minor corrosion products. Furthermore, the study also provided the opportunity for a better understanding of the possibilities and limitations of the various instrumental techniques available to the analyst for the study of ancient bronzes.