Non-Destructive Examination of Metallic Idols and Statues in Religious Institutions - A Case Study

Abstract

Religious institutions typically have idols, statues and other items made up of different metals and alloys. The Hindu religion involves idol worship on a daily basis regularly over the course of a year. Most of the temples are hundreds of years old. Centuries of handling the idols leads to their exposure to water, acids, alkalies, environmental conditions and stresses. Degradation in quality and loss of properties is expected. Thus, determining the condition and quality of the various idols becomes imperative. Nondestructive examination of a 16th Century Hindu temple was carried out in the Maharashtra state of India. The objective was to determine the material constitution and construction method for the idols for conservation, preservation and re-constitutional purposes. The NDE methods used included Positive Material Identification using X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) and Computerised Radiography (CR). Material constituents of the idols were determined. Internal conditions and flaws such as cracks, disjoints, disbonds were also looked at. A conclusion was drawn regarding the condition and future life of the idols. It was also determined whether NDE can be effectively used for carrying out remaining life assessment of art and cultural artefacts and its use in their restoration. Determination of century-old technologies and their comparison with present-day technologies can also be evaluated.