ANALYTICAL INVESTIGATION ON A COPTIC WOODEN ICON FROM THE 18 TH CENTURY USING SEM-EDX MICROSCOPY AND FTIR SPECTROSCOPY

Abstract

In the present study, a comprehensive investigation has been undertaken into a wood-
en Coptic icon dated to the 18th century and painted by Ibrahim El-Nasekh. It is located
in Saint Abanoub church in Samanoud, in the Nile Delta, Egypt. This study included the
determination of the pigment palette, the gold layer and the white ground layer and the
wooden panel. The analytical instruments used were Optical microscopy, Environmental
scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive X-ray emission and Fourier
transform infrared coupled with attenuated total reflectance "FTIR-ATR". The analysis
revealed that the pigments used in this icon comprises indigo (C 16 H 10 N 2 O 2 ), red lead
(Pb 3 O 4 ), white lead (2PbCO 3 ·Pb(OH) 2 ) and yellow lead (PbO). The gold areas were made
of real gold leaves applied over an orange bole layer. The white ground layer comprises
calcium sulphate dihydrate admixed with animal glue. The wooden panel was found to
be made of Accacia Pennata (L.) Wild, while Cupressus sempervirens L. var. dupreziana
(A. Camus) Silba was used for pegs and traverses.