Fragment of pilaster or door jamb (inv. no. RA23h)

Description: It features a double-curved molding. The internal field is made up of four scrolls of intertwined ivy.

Analytical methods: VIS; UV; MAXRF
Autoptic examination: Traces of black on the background, red on the stems, and yellow on the leaves are visibile to the naked-eye.
Imaging: Microscopic examination confirms the visual analysis and reveals the presence of brown on the border.
Chemical analysis: The distribution of sulfur on the motif and background in the three analyzed areas suggests that they belong to the preparatory layer, while phosphorus, iron, and titanium determine the black of the background, and iron and lead the yellow-brown of the leaves and border.
The analyses reveal the presence of sulfur that, if not related to post-depositional phenomena, could suggest the application of a preparatory layer of calcium sulfate (gypsum) observed in all documented areas. The flower, leaves, and stems are colored with a lead and hematite-based pigment that produces shades of yellow, red, and orange. This could be sandyx or red lead mixed with ochres, depending on the desired effect. The leaf veins and borders are highlighted with manganese black. The black background is probably created with bone black.

Under painting traces: no
Pigments: white calcium sulfate, ochres (red, orange, yellow), black vegetable sandyx
Binder: n.d.
Stratigraphy: Preparatory layer of calcium sulfate
Shading: darker gradient
Metallic traces: no
Tools marks: no
Background colour: Black
Apparent marble parts: no
Restorations: No
Polychromy technique: The use of different colours indicates the desire to imitate coloured marbles, creating the effect of opus sectile

Bibliography: E. Neri, P. Capus, A. Dardenay, D. Strivay, Les sculptures de la villa de Chiragan (Musée Saint-Raymond, Toulouse): une premièere étude sur la polychromie, in E. Neri (ed.), Polychroma. The Meaning of Colours in Roman Sculptures, Silvana Editoriale, Cinisello B., 2024, pp. 256-279.