Abstract
Conservators extracted and preserved reliquaries hidden in the steps of the right flight of the Holy Stairs erected in the Piarist church crypt in Cracow (Poland). Three items from among 59 reliquaries were selected for specialist analyses: a framed, transparent cross containing a particle of the True Cross, and two opaque beads; an ornamented blue one without a hole and a drilled black one were analysed using non-destructive and non-invasive methods. The methods included scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry, Raman microspectroscopy and X-ray diffractometry. The reliquary cross was found to be made of rock crystal and framed with an alloy of gold, silver and probably copper. The beads are made of glass; the blue bead represents forest plant-ash potash–lime glass and the black one, plant-ash soda–lime glass. Cobalt, probably along with copper, was used to produce the colour of the blue bead; manganese and iron ions were used to produce that of the black bead. Lead was present in both beads as one of the minor components and also as a component of corrosion products on their surfaces and probably also as part of the filler for the ornamentation of the blue bead. Nevertheless, it cannot be ruled out that the lead compounds were introduced intentionally to emphasize the bead ornamentation. The possible place and date of manufacture of the artefacts were also discussed.
Highlights
The Piarist church in Cracow represents one of the finest examples of Baroque art in Poland [1]
EDS chemical analysis of the framing around the cross mainly showed the presence of gold Au and silver Ag, copper Cu was found as an admixture (Figure 4, Table 1, point 1)
Scala Santa (Holy Stairs) located in the crypt under the Piarist Church in Cracow (Poland), which was originally designed as a chapel of the Holy Stairs, a unique historical object in world terms
Summary
The Piarist church in Cracow represents one of the finest examples of Baroque art in Poland [1]. The crypt under the church, where the Holy Sepulchre was traditionally arranged, was used as a funeral chapel [3]. The Sacred Art Centre and the renowned “Piarist Crypt” art gallery have operated in the lower church since 1997 [4]. The gallery had to be adapted to the requirements of today’s art exhibitions and conservatory repair was initiated in the lower church. Numerous sensational discoveries were made during the work, such as Baroque frescoes, catacombs [5], and 59 reliquaries in mysterious stairs in the crypt chancel. As the conservatory and research project progressed, it became clear that the crypt under the church was originally designed as a chapel of the
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
