Der Briefwechsel Karls des Kühnen: Ein editionsprojekt

In his inaugural lecture, delivered at the University fof Kiel on 23 January 1985, and here printed, the author describes some of the problems, and aims, of his project, already under way, to edit the surviving correspondence of Charles of Burgundy, who in 1467 succeeded his father as duke and died some ten years later on the battlefield of Nancy. The edition is to include all surviving letters written by or to Charles during his entire lifetime, and also all letters mentioned in the accounts or other sources. The proposed editorial techniques, hoping to make full use of the computer, are described, and attention is drawn to the historical significance of the edition.

Zusammenfassung

In seiner hier veröffentlichten Antrittsvorlesung an der Universität Kiel vom 23. Januar 1985, beschreibt der Autor einige der Ziele und Probleme seines schon begonnenen Vorhabens, den gesamten üherlieferten Briefwechsel Karls des Kühnen von Burgund herauszugeben, der 1467 seinem Vater als Herzog nachfolgte und knapp zehn Jahre später auf dem Schlachtfeld von Nancy umkam. Die Edition soll nicht nur die erhaltenen, bei Karl während seines gesamten Lebens ein- und von ihm ausgehenden Briefe erfassen, sondern auch alle Schreiben, die in Rechnungen and anderen Quellen erwähnt sind. Die vorgeschlagene Editionstechnik, die sich auf die elektronische Datenverarbeitung stützen möchte, wird vorgestellt und die historische Bedeutung der Edition erläutert.     

XRF Characterization Of 18th Century Piedmontese Porcelains From The Palazzo Madama Museum (Torino,Italy)

Around 100 porcelain objects of the 18th century Rossetti, Vische and Vinovo manufactures (Piedmont, Italy) from the Palazzo Madama Museum collection were analysed by means of an X‐ray fluorescence portable detector. The present study represents the first chemical characterization of these early (1737–1825) European porcelains. Chemical composition data were submitted to multivariate clustering techniques that underscored a complete classification of the three manufactures and the presence of three subgroups for the Vinovo production. These resulting subgroups did not mirror the classification expected on the basis of the historiographic literature. The overall data pointed to technological continuity not only through all the Vinovo phases but even continuing from the earlier Vische manufacture.     

Potentialities of X-ray fluorescence analysis in numismatics: the case study of pre-Roman coins from Cisalpine Gaul

X-ray fluorescence (XRF) is a well-known technique for the analysis of ancient metals. Thanks to the availability of portable instruments (p-XRF), it is extensively used for the chemical characterization of coins directly in museums. In this work, the potentialities of the technique have been investigated, through its application to a case study concerning the Cisalpine Gaul coinage. More than 200 drachmas have been analysed to discriminate different productions on the base of minor elements. Major elements, on the other hand, have been used to trace alloy changes through the centuries. As concerns the quantification of the silver content (fineness), XRF and neutron diffraction results have been compared, in order to check the presence of surface-enriched layers.     

Innocent III and the world of symbols of the papacy

ABSTRACT

This essay explores some of the papal symbols which assumed particular prominence during the pontificate of Pope Innocent III (1198–1216). These symbols belong to different modes of expression: metaphoric speech and writing (vicarius Christi, the pope’s body); clothing (pallium, tiara); objects (the Golden Rose); and visual art (the mosaic in Old St Peter’s). It is argued that the pope – and his curia – employed these symbols to represent the special position of authority which the pope held within the Church and society at large, and that several of them played a role in ritual enactments of papal authority. It is furthermore argued that they should be seen as part of a coherent system of symbols and that many of them serve to emphasise the relationship between the pope and Christ, and thus represent Pope Innocent III’s ecclesiological programme in which the pope as God’s representative on earth plays a pivotal role.     

Non-invasive characterization through X-ray fluorescence and neutron radiography of an ancient Japanese lacquer

Oriental lacquer artefacts represent very interesting objects of investigation, involving a huge variety of materials and manufacturing techniques. Lacquers are very attractive not only for their stylistic features but also for understanding the variety of production processes, time evolution, use and artistic applications involved in their manufacturing. Till recently, the research activity on these materials has been mainly based on standard, more or less invasive, analytical methods. With the aim to characterise a nineteenth century Japanese lacquer in a totally non-invasive and non-destructive way, in situ X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and neutron radiography (NR) have been employed. While XRF suggested an identification of the pigments embedded into superficial layers, NR allowed revealing, in a single measurement, the average bulk properties of the sample.     

Microclimate and Salt Crystallization in the Crypt of Lecce’s Duomo

Ancient masonry structures are often damaged by soluble salt crystallization, which is activated by even small microclimatic variations. Unsuitable environmental conditions can accelerate this process, affecting the type and the quantity of salts and the consequent damage to the masonry. Therefore the importance of monitoring salt diffusion to control salt crystallization and microclimate over time is widely recognized. This study proposes an integrated monitoring methodology to obtain information on the relationship between salt efflorescence and microclimate in the Crypt of the Duomo of Lecce (South Italy). By combining ion chromatography, powder X-ray diffraction analysis, and Raman microscopy with environmental monitoring and deterioration maps, salt components were identified and efflorescence diffusion on masonry was monitored over time. Due to this approach, a possible explanation for the process is finally given.