https://doi.org/10.1140/epjp/s13360-024-05405-7
Regular Article
Maiolica seen by Vis–NIR hyperspectral imaging spectroscopy: the application of an ultraportable camera at the Museo Nazionale del Bargello
1
Archéosciences Bordeaux UMR 6034, CNRS, Université Bordeaux Montaigne, Pessac, France
2
Earth Sciences Department, Università degli Studi di Firenze, Via La Pira 4, 50121, Florence, Italy
3
MAPPA Lab, Department of Civilizations and Forms of Knowledge, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
4
CNR-ICCOM, Pisa, Italy
5
CNR-IGG, Florence, Italy
Received:
19
December
2023
Accepted:
27
June
2024
Published online:
19
July
2024
An ultraportable hyperspectral camera operating in the Vis–NIR range (400–1000 nm) was used in this study for the non-invasive analysis of a selection of Italian maiolica wares and sherds from the Museo Nazionale del Bargello in Florence, Italy. The studied objects included authentic archaeological sherds, nineteenth-century forgeries, and ceramics of uncertain origin. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of hyperspectral imaging (HSI) spectroscopy combined with multivariate analysis for examining highly refractive and three-dimensional glazed ceramic artefacts within the constraints of a museum environment, including imperfect lighting conditions. Two data processing pipelines were tested: one based on principal component analysis (PCA) with score plots and the other on spectral angle mapper (SAM) classification obtained through the ENVI Spectral Hourglass Wizard (ENVI-SHW). The analyses enabled the discrimination between original parts and/or restored parts and additions. Among others, a complex assemblage of original sherds, restored parts, and non-ceramic parts was observed in a Renaissance pastiche vase. Furthermore, the method enabled the identification of the various chromophores providing clues on the artistic colour palette. In particular, the identification of chromium in the blue and green glazes of two objects of uncertain chronology suggested that they were not made before the nineteenth century. The acquisition of a larger and more detailed database of HSI data on maiolica glazes is strongly encouraged to improve the applicability of this method in authenticity, art-historical and archaeological studies.
Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at https://doi.org/10.1140/epjp/s13360-024-05405-7.
© The Author(s) 2024
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