Abstract
This paper describes a historical study combined with a non-destructive chemical and molecular characterisation (using ESEM-EDS and Raman spectroscopy) of nine small sculptures. The specimens kept in the National Museum of Natural Sciences (MNCN institution) are composed of steatite or soapstone, a soft and unctuous mineral containing talc and pyrophyllite. We found that two of the specimens are made of pyrophyllite from Japan while the other seven are talc carved with Chinese-style ornamentation. These talc specimens from China include calcite formed by dolomite metamorphism, while the pyrophyllite samples show Pb, Fe, Cl, As, P, S, Na and Ca, chemical elements more characteristic of hydrothermal alterations of felsic rocks from Japan. The statuettes were brought to what was then the RGHN from Philippines in the eighteenth century by Juan de Cuellar. The paper includes a short biography of this Spanish explorer and botanist and an account of his scientific and economic activities. These specimens are an excellent example of the Enlightenment fashion for collecting Asian objects.
Highlights
La etimología de la palabra ESTEATITA según el Diccionario de la Real Academia Española proviene del griego στέαρ, στέατος traducido como sebo, grasa sólida y definido como “Mineral de color blanco y verdoso, suave, y tan blando que se raya con la uña
We found that two of the specimens are made of que las otras siete son de talco con ornamentación de proce- pyrophyllite from Japan while the other seven are talc carved dencia China
Talcos (IBETASA) extrae talco en Puebla de Lillo (León) 1.3
Summary
La etimología de la palabra ESTEATITA según el Diccionario de la Real Academia Española proviene del griego στέαρ, στέατος traducido como sebo, grasa sólida y definido como “Mineral de color blanco y verdoso, suave, y tan blando que se raya con la uña. Pero proveedora de la Corona, le tiene como tanto, Juan de Cuellar había sido contratado por una asalariado, siendo enviado real sin salario, y desde compañía privada, pero con título oficial y encargos 1789 prácticamente no solicitó sus servicios y se desindel Jardín Botánico y del RGHN (Puerto, 2008).
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