X-ray fluorescence analysis of contemporary metal sculptures

A portable X-ray fluorescence spectrometer (pXRF) has been employed to study the composition of contemporary metal sculptures. The equipment calibration was verified against a reference material and by using circulating coins with compositions declared by central banks. It was shown that coins can serve as a cheaper alternative for verifying the accuracy of XRF measurements. The analyses of 14 sculptures revealed that the same object can exhibit parts with markedly different compositions, particularly when these parts are independent and perform different functions within the artwork. On the other hand, a tendency towards compositional homogeneity was observed across the main body of the same artwork, consistent with the use of a single metal alloy in the sculpture's manufacture. Furthermore, it was not possible to establish unequivocal compositional characteristics for works attributed to the same artist, and it was found that certified limited-edition sculptures exhibited high-quality bronze, whereas other works did not adhere to a specific metal-alloy standard, reflecting different manufacturing processes. It has been confirmed that compositional analysis of sculptures using pXRF can be important for the certification and authentication of these artworks, as well as for evaluating material quality and potential restorations.