Analytical Information Obtained from the Object

Analytical data from the object can be grouped as follows  

Morphological changes observed in the bulk or on the surface of the object are associated with the damages inflicted upon the object debris, dust, superficial deposits, crusts, cracks, pores, fissures, fractures, laminations, lixiviations, spots, efflorescences, etc. (Figs. 1.1 and 1.2). 

Examination of thin sections prepared from microsamples of organic materials such as wood, parchment, textile, paper, ivory, horn, or leather enables the recognition of anatomical and histological features characteristic of the type of organic material or botanical specie. 

Examination of cross sections (in particular) of samples extracted from polychrome objects provides the complete sequence of pictorial strata present in the object, as well as the possible infiltrations or corrosion crusts formed as consequence of the alteration processes (Fig. 1.3). The distribution of pictorial layers is also essential for establishing the artistic technique used by the artist. 

In chromatographic techniques, qualitative identitication of organic binders requires quantitication of species obtained from the original polymeric materials amino acids from proteins, fatty acids from drying oils, or monosaccharides in plant gums. 

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