Study of Coloured Lakes Used for the Covering of Silver Leaf in Ecclesial Art of the First Half of 19th Century

Abstract

The wooden sculptures in orthodox churches are usually gilded with golden leaves, applied by means of different techniques (with bole or mixtion). Silver leaf was also used for economic or aesthetic purposes, usually covered with coloured lakes: red, green (for flowers, leaves and fruits) or yellow (for gold imitation). This study presents analysis realized on samples of coloured lakes taken from different cult objects. We used red and green lakes taken from the royal doors of the St. Nicholas church from Aroneanu, Iasi (1814) and from the royal doors and deacon doors from St. Archangels Church, Ceplenita, Iasi (beginning of the 19th century). The yellow samples were taken from two icons painted in russian style: St. Nicholas and Holy Virgin of Kazan (beginning of 19th century). The SEM-EDX and FT-IR spectra revealed the different origins of the lake (organic and inorganic) and suggested the technique for their preparation.