The stucco busts of Muhammed Ali family had not received any adequate researches concerning the methods of implementation and conservation. Thus, this research will try to shed more light on them through studying three stucco busts kept in Prince Mohammed Ali's Museum in El Manial by USB digital microscope, photographing under UV light, X-ray diffraction, the Fourier transform infrared, and scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray analysis. The physicochemical study of the three stucco busts indicates that they are hollow cast stucco busts. Gypsum is the main component of these busts, in addition to traces of quartz and calcite. Zincite was used as a pigment in the white painting layer of Khedive Ismail stucco bust. The detection of greenalite, zincite, and barite testifies the whitish green painting layer of Khedive Tawfiq stucco bust. At the same time, the occurrence of hematite in Khedive Ismail stucco bust testifies the effect of iron nails corrosion. The Fourier transform infrared results indicate that the used organic media of pigments is glue.
This research will shed light on studying a terrazzo pavement in Prince Mohamed Ali Museum (the case study). The authors used visual inspection, stereo microscope, USB microscope, XRPD analysis, and SEM.EDX to identify its components, deterioration aspects and execution techniques. The XRPD and SEM.EDX results revealed that Portland cement was used in the three layers of terrazzo because of the detection of Hatrurite, Alite, Anorthite, Albite, Aragonite, etc. Many pigments were used in the topping terrazzo layer as; Goethite, Greenalite, Hematite, Azurite and Magnetite. The divider strips were made of brass alloy and the topping layer chips were prepared from basalt, marble and sea shells.
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