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<p>The gilded bronze monument to Marcus Aurelius is the only equestrian statue larger-than-life-size of the Imperial Rome to survive to the present day. A sample from an area covered by the flap of the emperor’s cloak, which is intact and unaffected by restoration works over the centuries, was investigated by depth-profiling X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The elemental composition analysis revealed the presence of mercury with a typical bell-shaped pattern at the level of and below the gold layer. Moreover, the detailed study of the atomic composition of the bronze alloy leads to the hypothesis of an “oxidative depletion” pre-treatment of the bronze surface (characterized by a high tin and lead content) in preparation for the gilding process. Finally, the interdiffusion phenomena are particularly evident and are compatible with a moderate heating for short periods during the gilding process. These evidences provide further details about the gilding techniques used in the ancient world.</p>

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Surface analysis and considerations on the Marcus Aurelius equestrian-statue gilding

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年1月6日

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  • Emilio Mello,
  • Laura Meda,
  • Mario Salvalaggio

摘要

The gilded bronze monument to Marcus Aurelius is the only equestrian statue larger-than-life-size of the Imperial Rome to survive to the present day. A sample from an area covered by the flap of the emperor’s cloak, which is intact and unaffected by restoration works over the centuries, was investigated by depth-profiling X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The elemental composition analysis revealed the presence of mercury with a typical bell-shaped pattern at the level of and below the gold layer. Moreover, the detailed study of the atomic composition of the bronze alloy leads to the hypothesis of an “oxidative depletion” pre-treatment of the bronze surface (characterized by a high tin and lead content) in preparation for the gilding process. Finally, the interdiffusion phenomena are particularly evident and are compatible with a moderate heating for short periods during the gilding process. These evidences provide further details about the gilding techniques used in the ancient world.