Quantitative elemental analysis of Della Robbia glazes with a portable XRF spectrometer and its comparison to PIXE methods

A portable XRF spectrometer has been developed at the Centre de Recherche et de Restauration des Musées de France (C2RMF), in Paris. The instrument has been successfully used on many occasions to analyse qualitatively various important works of art. In the present study, it has been utilised for the analysis of two glazed sculptures located in the cathedral of Seville (Spain) and attributed to the Della Robbia workshop. The aim was to perform a quantitative analysis in order to determine the elemental composition of the glazes. The results are compared with those previously obtained with particle induced x‐ray emission (PIXE) and µ‐PIXE techniques at the C2RMF on other Della Robbia wares located at the Louvre museum. The data provide information on the two sculptures, which is discussed in relation with what is known on the Florentine production at the Renaissance. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.