De l'authenticité d'une tête étrusque

Abstract

The Musée d'art et d'Histoire in Geneva acquired in 1978 a decorated etruscan terracotta head (5th Century BC) which had been authenticated by thermoluminescence analysis. Following stylistic doubts on the authenticity of the decoration on the diadem an extensive scientific examination of the pigments and slips by different methods was undertaken (X-ray diffraction, X-ray fluorescence, infrared-spectroscopy, optical and scanning electron microscopy). Three other etruscan heads were also examined. It could be shown that the slips and the pigments had been applied prior to firing to the dried clay head. Therefore there is apparently no reason to doubt the authenticity of the decoration. The black decoration of the diadem and the face, as well as that of the other three objects examined, has been painted in the manganese-black technique.