A Wood-Carved and Painted Chest from Epirus, Greece: Analysis Prior to Preservation

Folk art includes objects that are items for everyday use and, at the same time, gracefully reflect the Greek artistic point of view, drawing its inspiration from life itself, the environment and its beauties, and local tradition. An 18th c. wood-carved and painted chest coming from the famous wood-...

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Main Authors: Asimina Bellou, Christos Karydis, Maria Filopoulou, Artemios Oikonomou, Stamatis Boyatzis
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-04-01
Series:Heritage
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2571-9408/8/5/154
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author Asimina Bellou
Christos Karydis
Maria Filopoulou
Artemios Oikonomou
Stamatis Boyatzis
author_facet Asimina Bellou
Christos Karydis
Maria Filopoulou
Artemios Oikonomou
Stamatis Boyatzis
author_sort Asimina Bellou
collection DOAJ
description Folk art includes objects that are items for everyday use and, at the same time, gracefully reflect the Greek artistic point of view, drawing its inspiration from life itself, the environment and its beauties, and local tradition. An 18th c. wood-carved and painted chest coming from the famous wood-carved centers of Epirus in Greece is presented in this study. As the number of studies and the general bibliographical references are limited for these kinds of items, prior to interventive conservation, a protocol of analysis was followed to identify the damages, the construction materials, and previous alterations. The main goal of this study is to identify the component materials using non-destructive techniques. The methodology followed for the documentation of the artifact includes the following: a. digital microscopy to identify damage from insects, different cracks and losses on the gesso and paint surface, corrosion products, etc.; b. 3D imaging using a polycam, with special attention given to the inside decoration of the cap; c. IR and UV photography to identify any previous alterations or signs of alterations in the varnish layers; d. and XRF analysis to identify the three (3) main colors of the chest, such as the blue used extensively as a background, red, and white. Nevertheless, the Greek folklore painting palette is limited, and for this reason, this study can be a foundation for research on similar artifacts.
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spelling doaj-art-8f4f7ef2b02b49cfbd4ea05f8ee907272025-08-20T01:56:16ZengMDPI AGHeritage2571-94082025-04-018515410.3390/heritage8050154A Wood-Carved and Painted Chest from Epirus, Greece: Analysis Prior to PreservationAsimina Bellou0Christos Karydis1Maria Filopoulou2Artemios Oikonomou3Stamatis Boyatzis4Department of Environment, Ionian University, M. Minotou-Giannopoulou, 29100 Zakynthos, GreeceDepartment of Environment, Ionian University, M. Minotou-Giannopoulou, 29100 Zakynthos, GreeceDepartment of Environment, Ionian University, M. Minotou-Giannopoulou, 29100 Zakynthos, GreeceDepartment of Conservation of Antiquities and Works of Art, University of West Attica, Ag. Spyridonos, 12243 Egaleo, GreeceDepartment of Conservation of Antiquities and Works of Art, University of West Attica, Ag. Spyridonos, 12243 Egaleo, GreeceFolk art includes objects that are items for everyday use and, at the same time, gracefully reflect the Greek artistic point of view, drawing its inspiration from life itself, the environment and its beauties, and local tradition. An 18th c. wood-carved and painted chest coming from the famous wood-carved centers of Epirus in Greece is presented in this study. As the number of studies and the general bibliographical references are limited for these kinds of items, prior to interventive conservation, a protocol of analysis was followed to identify the damages, the construction materials, and previous alterations. The main goal of this study is to identify the component materials using non-destructive techniques. The methodology followed for the documentation of the artifact includes the following: a. digital microscopy to identify damage from insects, different cracks and losses on the gesso and paint surface, corrosion products, etc.; b. 3D imaging using a polycam, with special attention given to the inside decoration of the cap; c. IR and UV photography to identify any previous alterations or signs of alterations in the varnish layers; d. and XRF analysis to identify the three (3) main colors of the chest, such as the blue used extensively as a background, red, and white. Nevertheless, the Greek folklore painting palette is limited, and for this reason, this study can be a foundation for research on similar artifacts.https://www.mdpi.com/2571-9408/8/5/154woodchestEpirusdigital microscopyIR and UV photography3D imaging
spellingShingle Asimina Bellou
Christos Karydis
Maria Filopoulou
Artemios Oikonomou
Stamatis Boyatzis
A Wood-Carved and Painted Chest from Epirus, Greece: Analysis Prior to Preservation
Heritage
wood
chest
Epirus
digital microscopy
IR and UV photography
3D imaging
title A Wood-Carved and Painted Chest from Epirus, Greece: Analysis Prior to Preservation
title_full A Wood-Carved and Painted Chest from Epirus, Greece: Analysis Prior to Preservation
title_fullStr A Wood-Carved and Painted Chest from Epirus, Greece: Analysis Prior to Preservation
title_full_unstemmed A Wood-Carved and Painted Chest from Epirus, Greece: Analysis Prior to Preservation
title_short A Wood-Carved and Painted Chest from Epirus, Greece: Analysis Prior to Preservation
title_sort wood carved and painted chest from epirus greece analysis prior to preservation
topic wood
chest
Epirus
digital microscopy
IR and UV photography
3D imaging
url https://www.mdpi.com/2571-9408/8/5/154
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