Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 PhD student in Archeology, Department of Archeology, Abhar Branch, Islamic Azad University, Abhar, Iran.

2 Assistant Professor, Department of Archeology, Abhar Branch, Islamic Azad University, Abhar, Iran

Abstract

Mercury gilding is a method used to decorate silver traces during the Sassanid period. It has features that make the gold layer firmly attached to the silver base and the gold layer does not detach from the work over time.
In this research, this question on has been raised as to what caused the gold layer to last on the silver surface?
The aim of this study is finding similarities and differences between the silver effect of the Sassanid period and the samples obtained from laboratory experiments,it has led to the knowledge of how to implement this method and also the reason for the stability of the gold layer on the silver surface.
For this purpose, mercury gilding has been recovered and performed with an old specimen as metallurgical examination to identify the structure. Then, the surface of the coating and how the gold layer adheres to the base metal (SEM) is further studied.
The results show that in this method, the gold coating is a type of penetration coating that causes the gold layer to adhere firmly to the silver base.

Keywords

  • Anheuser, Kilian., (1997), The practice and characterization of historic fire gilding techniques, JOM, 49,58–62.
  • Berpohl, Erhard, (2001),The Teory and Practice of Goldsmithing, Translated by: Charles Lewton Brain,Tim Mccright (ed), Brynmorgen Press.
  • Bostock, John and Henry,Riley, (1857), The Natural History of Pliny, Published by H.G.Bohn.
  • Eggert, Gerhard, (1995), On the Origin of a Gilding Method of the Baghdad Silversmiths, Gold Bulletine 28 (1).
  • Goffer, Zvi and James.D Winefordner, (2007), Archaeological Chemistry, Wiley interscience Publication.
  • Gunter, Ann.Clibern and Paul, Jet, (1992), Ancient Iranian Metalwork in the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery and the Freer Gallery of Art, Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, Smithsonian Institution.
  • Jones, Thomas P and Jane, Haldimand,, (1832), New Conversation on chemistry, Published by John Grigy, Filadelfia.
  • Keyser, Paul.T, (1993), The purpose of the parthian galvanic cells.a first- century A.D. electric battery used for analgesia. Jornal of Near Eastern Studes,vol (25)
  • Meyers, Pieter and Prodence,Harper, (1981), Silver vessels of the Sasanian period. I: the Royal Imagery New York, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.
  • Murakami, Ryu, (2000), Archaeological Gilded Metals Excavated in Japan, in book: Gilded Metals, History, Technology and Conservation,Terry Drayman - Wisser (ed), Archetype Publication.
  • Northover, Peter and Kilian, Anheuser, (2000), Gilding in Britain: Celtic, Roman and Saxon, in book: Gilded Metals, History, Technology and Conservation, Terry Drayman-Wisser (ed), Archetype Publication.
  • Oddy, Andrew, (1981), Gilding through the ages: an outline history of the process in the old world, Gold Bulletin, 14 (2),75-79.
  • Oddy, Andrew, (1991), Gilding: an outline of the technological history of the plating of gold on to silver or copper in the old world, Endeavour, New Series, 15, Pergamon Press plc, Great Britain.
  • Oddy Andrew, (2003), The Gilding of Other Metals Since 3000 BC,in book Physics Methods in Archaeometry, Marco Martini, Mario Milazzo, M.Piacentini (eds), IOS Press.
  • Raub, Christoph, (1993),”The History of Electroplating”, in book Metal Plating and Patination: Cultural, Technical and Historical Developments, Susan. La Niece, paul Craddock (eds), Oxford: Butterworth - Heinemann Publication.