Titolo della tesi: Natural, treated and imitation: The role of gems in history, in the history of art, and in the history of goldsmithing.
The study of gems adorning ancient goldwork - today known as archaeogemmology— has long been recognized as a field of relevance for understanding historical, artistic, and cultural contexts. The development of non-invasive and non-destructive analytical techniques, together with their application to portable instruments, has facilitated the growing practice of direct, in situ analysis of precious materials.
This research aims to highlight the value of such practices, while emphasizing the necessity of a transdisciplinary approach: only through the integration of gemmology, art history, and analytical methodologies is it possible to fully grasp the complexity and multifaceted nature of these works of art. This perspective provides essential information for the identification and reattribution of gemological materials, the dating of gems, and the reconstruction of ancient trade routes, thereby contributing to a deeper understanding of the history and provenance of the artifacts, as well as offering valuable insights into their use and meaning.
Through documentary research, the detailed study of goldsmithing techniques and compositional methods, the analysis of provenance and gem-cutting practices, and the examination of substitutions, enhancement treatments, and composite gems, a comprehensive framework emerges that enables a deeper exploration of the historical, cultural, and technical dimensions of these extraordinary creations.
The research focuses on a selection of twenty-eight Byzantine and medieval goldworks preserved in central Italy, consisting mainly of sacred objects such as reliquaries and staurothekes, for a total of approximately one thousand gem materials analyzed. These artifacts represent testimonies of exceptional historical and artistic value, revealing the dynamics of gem trade and the intense cultural exchanges that, during the Middle Ages, intertwined the traditions of the Christian East and West.
The study has yielded significant results from both a historical-artistic and scientific perspective, confirming the validity of the methodological approach, the analytical techniques employed, and the initial research hypothesis.