Corrosion and Microstructural Studies on Gilded Silver Threads from Sumptuous Textiles from the Era of Augustus the Strong

Gilded silver thread was used in the baroque era in the manufacture of sumptuous fabrics for princely garments as well as in the interior decoration of the Royal State Apartments. In this work, gilded silver threads from sumptuous fabrics from the era of Augustus the Strong (1670 – 1733) were studied with the aim of examining the microstructure and the chemical composition of the silver threads and the gilding. In addition, the metal threads were examined with regard to occurring corrosion phenomena as well as corrosion mechanisms.