Archaeometric study of Montelupo Maiolica

The main aim of this thesis is to define a multi-analytical approach suitable for the study of the complex glazed coatings of the Montelupo maiolicas. Forty-two maiolica sherds (chosen in order to cover the entire production time frame of Montelupo) were analyzed with the MA-XRF, the IBA and the micro Raman techniques to study their surfaces' composition. A good overall characterization of both the white areas and all the colored ones was achieved; highlighting, in some cases, even interesting compositional changes in time. The reliability of the non-invasive chosen approach was finally evaluated by comparing the results, such obtained, with the ones provided by the invasive Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM-EDS) analyses: a good agreement was found.