Current Research Postgraduates
Miss Jocelyn Baker
(email at j.m.baker@durham.ac.uk)
Research Topic
The color and composition of Early Medieval jewelry in Britain
Abstract
My research focuses on the relationship between the compositions of non-ferrous early medieval jewelry items and their intended appearance. I intend to explore the relationship between aesthetic appearance and the use and control of metal technologies within typological, regional and chronological contexts using a scientific approach.
Copper-alloy objects represent a large portion of surviving material culture that can be attributed to the general population. High-status objects made from gold and silver and their alloys are the basis of styles mimicked by the more common base alloys, and copying the color or decorative motifs of high-status objects was of primary importance for establishing a connection of identity through the object. Imitation could be achieved through control of the copper alloy or by manipulation the surface through patination, tinning, gilding, plating, inlay and enameling among others. I will be attempting to identify the nature and extent of these decorative techniques and in particular the alloys used, in order to delineate the aesthetic-technological interface in different regions and periods from Britain.
I am using ED-XRF to establish the major components of alloy composition and spectrophotometry to obtain quantitative color measurements, using both metal samples from previous technical studies as well as previously unanalyzed objects from sites throughout Britain.
Is supervised by
Research Groups
- Ritual, Religion, Belief and Place Research Group
