RAS Social ScienceGosudarstvo i pravo

  • ISSN (Print) 1026-9452
  • ISSN (Online)2713-0398

About “green niello” in the decor of encolpion crosses of Rus from the finds in Suzdal Opolye

PII
S086960630005670-6-
DOI
10.31857/S086960630005670-6
Publication type
Article
Status
Published
Authors
Volume/ Edition
Volume / Issue 3
Pages
50-61
Abstract

This article presents the results of comprehensive studies of the niello composition and the technique of its application in brass reliquary crosses of Rus of the 12th–13th cent. AD from unfortified medieval dwelling sites on the area known as Suzdal Opolye (Russia). The decor was applied as an inlay. The niello images of the cross in the centre of the leaves of two medieval encolpions are unusual as they include “green” and “black” inlays. They were studied with a combination of X-ray synchrotron methods, neutron tomography, scanning electron and optical microscopy. The data suggest that niello was made by melting of the multicomponent copper-based alloys with sulphur without deliberate admixing of silver. The corrosion products of “copper” niello (brochantite, anglesite and others) were detected in “green” inlays of the reliquary crosses.

Keywords
Rus, encolpion crosses, niello technology, chemical composition of niello
Date of publication
23.08.2019
Number of purchasers
89
Views
921

References

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