Inês Coutinho | Universidade Nova de Lisboa (original) (raw)

Papers by Inês Coutinho

Journal of Medieval Iberian Studies, 2016

During an archaeological intervention that took place in Beja (southern Portugal), at Avenida Mig... more During an archaeological intervention that took place in Beja (southern Portugal), at Avenida Miguel Fernandes, between August 2003 and March 2004, a set of 137 silos was discovered. The excavation yielded an assemblage of glass that can be dated between the fourteenth and the seventeenth centuries. For this investigation only the fragments from the medieval contexts were considered in order to provide an overview of the use of glass vessels in a Portuguese town in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries. A group of eleven medieval glass fragments was chemically characterised by means of µ-PIXE (particle-induced Xray emission) and UV-vis reflectance spectroscopy. Analysis by µ-PIXE enabled the determination of the chemical composition, and UV-vis reflectance spectroscopy was used as a complementary technique to identify the metallic elements responsible for different colours observed in the glasses. Results showed that the analysed objects are in the majority made of a soda-lime silica glass, indicating a connection with the Mediterranean tradition. Cobalt and copper were the colorants used to obtain the blue and turquoise glasses, respectively, whereas iron is responsible for the green and yellow colours.

archaeometry, 2017

Two sets of wine bottles dated between the end of the 17th and the 19th centuries were characteri... more Two sets of wine bottles dated between the end of the 17th and the 19th centuries were characterized by means of μ-PIXE (major and minor elements) and LA-ICP-MS (trace and REE elements). The fragmented wine bottles were recovered from two archaeological contexts in Lisbon and reach a total of 79 fragments. One of the archaeological bottle sets comes from a house structure that collapsed during the major earthquake in 1755, providing a precise terminus ante quem. The second set comes from the exploratory archaeological intervention performed in Rua do Arsenal, where the Côrte-Real Palace (built in the 16th century), was discovered. From this site, posterior contexts dated up to the 19th century were considered. This systematic study allowed the glass to be identified as high-lime, low-alkali (HLLA) for all the considered chronologies. However, the 19th-century bottles have a different HLLA composition, suggesting the use of synthetic soda. Comparison with data from literature showed some similarity with English, Belgium and French reported compositions. This is the first systematic attempt to characterize the composition of glass wine bottles circulating in Portugal, giving new insights into their probable provenances, and on the exchange between Portugal and its trading allies.

ANNALES du 20e CONGRÈS de l’ASSOCIATION INTERNATIONALE pour l’HISTOIRE du VERRE Fribourg / Romont 7–11 septembre 2015 [ISBN 978-3-86757-024-4], 2017

The stained-glass collection from the Pena National Palace (Sintra, Portugal) includes around 130... more The stained-glass collection from the Pena National Palace (Sintra, Portugal) includes around 130 'rural panels', also known as Fensterbierscheiben, that were produced between the 16th and 19th centuries. The aim of this investigation is to characterise the glass composition of this collection of Fensterbierscheiben and relate it with the iconographic research made on these panels, in order to establish possible provenance of production. This is the first study on Fensterbierscheiben, where the chemical information of the glass is considered and related with historical information. The micro-energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence allowed performing non-invasive analysis, mostly performed in situ. Micro-particle-induced X-ray emission analysis was performed on the cross section of a small group of fragmented panels for obtaining quantitative chemical composition of the glass. Through the analysis of the colourless glass, and the comparison of micro-energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence and micro-particle-induced X-ray emission data, it was concluded that the majority of the panes have a high lime low alkali glass composition. Furthermore, the Fensterbierscheiben panes form a cohesive group in terms of composition, suggesting that they were all manufactured with raw materials from the same region. This study also allowed one to observe the chronological evolution in terms of treatments applied to the used raw materials.

During an archaeological intervention that took place in Beja (southern Portugal), at Avenida Mig... more During an archaeological intervention that took place in Beja (southern Portugal), at Avenida Miguel Fernandes, between August 2003 and March 2004, a set of 137 silos was discovered. The excavation yielded an assemblage of glass that can be dated between the fourteenth and the seventeenth centuries. For this investigation only the fragments from the medieval contexts were considered in order to provide an overview of the use of glass vessels in a Portuguese town in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries. A group of eleven medieval glass fragments was chemically characterised by means of µ-PIXE (particle-induced Xray emission) and UV-vis reflectance spectroscopy. Analysis by µ-PIXE enabled the determination of the chemical composition, and UV-vis reflectance spectroscopy was used as a complementary technique to identify the metallic elements responsible for different colours observed in the glasses. Results showed that the analysed objects are in the majority made of a soda-lime silica glass, indicating a connection with the Mediterranean tradition. Cobalt and copper were the colorants used to obtain the blue and turquoise glasses, respectively, whereas iron is responsible for the green and yellow colours.

In this study façon-de-Venise glass objects from several Portuguese archaeological sites were stu... more In this study façon-de-Venise glass objects from several Portuguese archaeological sites were studied aiming at
characterising their chemical composition, discussing the raw materials and possible provenance. These objects
were found during four archaeological excavations performed in Portugal (at Santa Clara-a-Velha Monastery
(SCV) in Coimbra, São João de Tarouca Monastery in Lamego (SJT), Miguel Fernandes Square in Beja (PMF)
and at the courtyard of the University of Coimbra (CPU)). Most fragments are dated to the 17th century, with
only two objects being dated between the 14th and 15th centuries. These last two fragments, due to chronological
reasons, can't be attributed to a façon de Venise production, but were included in this study for comparison.
The glass compositionwas characterised bymeans of particle induced X-ray emission (μ-PIXE), laser ablation inductively
coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS), and UV–Vis reflectance spectroscopy. All thirty-one
objects are composed by soda–lime–silica glass and the use of coastal plants as raw materials is suggested by
the contents of MgO, K2O, P2O5 and chlorine. The observed greyish/bluish glass hue was also investigated and
UV–Vis analysis allowed one to identify Co and Fe as the cations responsible for that hue.
Through the analysis of silica trace elements and of the flux agents it was possible to associate four objects, from
the Santa Clara-a-Velha Monastery assemblage, to Venetian production (three objects of cristallo and one object
of vitrum blanchum) and to identify two other distinct production lines.
One group comprising fragments from São João de TaroucaMonastery, presented medium alumina contents, differing
from known façon-de-Venise production centres. The other group includes most fragments from Miguel
Fernandes Square assemblage and has high alumina values, which, once again, is not consistent with any of the
known façon-de-Venise production centres. For these reasons, the existence of new façon-de-Venise production centres
is proposed.

In the present work, a set of archaeological glass fragments belonging to a singular 17th century... more In the present work, a set of archaeological glass fragments belonging to a singular 17th century glass flask with
gilded decoration was sampled and analyzed. The fragments were excavated in Coimbra, Portugal. The main
focus of this study is to bring to light the flask production technique, in particular the gilding process, and additionally,
to investigate the object's provenance based on the composition of the glass. A comprehensive survey of
ancient and traditional glass gilding techniques is also presented.
The glass and the gilded areaswere characterized using micro energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy
(μ-EDXRF), scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), X-ray electron
probe micro-analysis (EPMA) and laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS).
The flask is made of soda-lime-silica glass and the use of coastal plant ashes is suggested by the relatively high
content of MgO and K2O, as well as by the presence of chlorine. The high alumina content excludes a Venetian
provenance, and with regard to the contents of Na2O, SiO2, K2O, and CaO, the glass composition is distinct from
the façon-de-Venise glasseswhich have been studied, and only comparable to a few17th century millefiori glasses,
also recovered in Coimbra.
Lead was detected in the gilded areas suggesting that a lead based mordant was used in the gilding process to
promote the adhesion of the gold leaf to the glass during the low temperature reheating of the object. The gold
leaf composition was determined by LA-ICP-MS, and it was possible to ascertain its purity: between 22 and 23
gold carats.

Resinas epoxídicas-estudos de envelhecimento acelerado e sua aplicação em conservação e restauro ... more Resinas epoxídicas-estudos de envelhecimento acelerado e sua aplicação em conservação e restauro de vidro 2 Agradecimentos Queria começar por agradecer à minha orientadora Professora Doutora Ana Maria Ramos, pelos ensinamentos prestados, pela paciência com que os prestou e respondeu a todas as dúvidas;

Journal of Medieval Iberian Studies, 2016

During an archaeological intervention that took place in Beja (southern Portugal), at Avenida Mig... more During an archaeological intervention that took place in Beja (southern Portugal), at Avenida Miguel Fernandes, between August 2003 and March 2004, a set of 137 silos was discovered. The excavation yielded an assemblage of glass that can be dated between the fourteenth and the seventeenth centuries. For this investigation only the fragments from the medieval contexts were considered in order to provide an overview of the use of glass vessels in a Portuguese town in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries. A group of eleven medieval glass fragments was chemically characterised by means of µ-PIXE (particle-induced Xray emission) and UV-vis reflectance spectroscopy. Analysis by µ-PIXE enabled the determination of the chemical composition, and UV-vis reflectance spectroscopy was used as a complementary technique to identify the metallic elements responsible for different colours observed in the glasses. Results showed that the analysed objects are in the majority made of a soda-lime silica glass, indicating a connection with the Mediterranean tradition. Cobalt and copper were the colorants used to obtain the blue and turquoise glasses, respectively, whereas iron is responsible for the green and yellow colours.

archaeometry, 2017

Two sets of wine bottles dated between the end of the 17th and the 19th centuries were characteri... more Two sets of wine bottles dated between the end of the 17th and the 19th centuries were characterized by means of μ-PIXE (major and minor elements) and LA-ICP-MS (trace and REE elements). The fragmented wine bottles were recovered from two archaeological contexts in Lisbon and reach a total of 79 fragments. One of the archaeological bottle sets comes from a house structure that collapsed during the major earthquake in 1755, providing a precise terminus ante quem. The second set comes from the exploratory archaeological intervention performed in Rua do Arsenal, where the Côrte-Real Palace (built in the 16th century), was discovered. From this site, posterior contexts dated up to the 19th century were considered. This systematic study allowed the glass to be identified as high-lime, low-alkali (HLLA) for all the considered chronologies. However, the 19th-century bottles have a different HLLA composition, suggesting the use of synthetic soda. Comparison with data from literature showed some similarity with English, Belgium and French reported compositions. This is the first systematic attempt to characterize the composition of glass wine bottles circulating in Portugal, giving new insights into their probable provenances, and on the exchange between Portugal and its trading allies.

ANNALES du 20e CONGRÈS de l’ASSOCIATION INTERNATIONALE pour l’HISTOIRE du VERRE Fribourg / Romont 7–11 septembre 2015 [ISBN 978-3-86757-024-4], 2017

The stained-glass collection from the Pena National Palace (Sintra, Portugal) includes around 130... more The stained-glass collection from the Pena National Palace (Sintra, Portugal) includes around 130 'rural panels', also known as Fensterbierscheiben, that were produced between the 16th and 19th centuries. The aim of this investigation is to characterise the glass composition of this collection of Fensterbierscheiben and relate it with the iconographic research made on these panels, in order to establish possible provenance of production. This is the first study on Fensterbierscheiben, where the chemical information of the glass is considered and related with historical information. The micro-energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence allowed performing non-invasive analysis, mostly performed in situ. Micro-particle-induced X-ray emission analysis was performed on the cross section of a small group of fragmented panels for obtaining quantitative chemical composition of the glass. Through the analysis of the colourless glass, and the comparison of micro-energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence and micro-particle-induced X-ray emission data, it was concluded that the majority of the panes have a high lime low alkali glass composition. Furthermore, the Fensterbierscheiben panes form a cohesive group in terms of composition, suggesting that they were all manufactured with raw materials from the same region. This study also allowed one to observe the chronological evolution in terms of treatments applied to the used raw materials.

During an archaeological intervention that took place in Beja (southern Portugal), at Avenida Mig... more During an archaeological intervention that took place in Beja (southern Portugal), at Avenida Miguel Fernandes, between August 2003 and March 2004, a set of 137 silos was discovered. The excavation yielded an assemblage of glass that can be dated between the fourteenth and the seventeenth centuries. For this investigation only the fragments from the medieval contexts were considered in order to provide an overview of the use of glass vessels in a Portuguese town in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries. A group of eleven medieval glass fragments was chemically characterised by means of µ-PIXE (particle-induced Xray emission) and UV-vis reflectance spectroscopy. Analysis by µ-PIXE enabled the determination of the chemical composition, and UV-vis reflectance spectroscopy was used as a complementary technique to identify the metallic elements responsible for different colours observed in the glasses. Results showed that the analysed objects are in the majority made of a soda-lime silica glass, indicating a connection with the Mediterranean tradition. Cobalt and copper were the colorants used to obtain the blue and turquoise glasses, respectively, whereas iron is responsible for the green and yellow colours.

In this study façon-de-Venise glass objects from several Portuguese archaeological sites were stu... more In this study façon-de-Venise glass objects from several Portuguese archaeological sites were studied aiming at
characterising their chemical composition, discussing the raw materials and possible provenance. These objects
were found during four archaeological excavations performed in Portugal (at Santa Clara-a-Velha Monastery
(SCV) in Coimbra, São João de Tarouca Monastery in Lamego (SJT), Miguel Fernandes Square in Beja (PMF)
and at the courtyard of the University of Coimbra (CPU)). Most fragments are dated to the 17th century, with
only two objects being dated between the 14th and 15th centuries. These last two fragments, due to chronological
reasons, can't be attributed to a façon de Venise production, but were included in this study for comparison.
The glass compositionwas characterised bymeans of particle induced X-ray emission (μ-PIXE), laser ablation inductively
coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS), and UV–Vis reflectance spectroscopy. All thirty-one
objects are composed by soda–lime–silica glass and the use of coastal plants as raw materials is suggested by
the contents of MgO, K2O, P2O5 and chlorine. The observed greyish/bluish glass hue was also investigated and
UV–Vis analysis allowed one to identify Co and Fe as the cations responsible for that hue.
Through the analysis of silica trace elements and of the flux agents it was possible to associate four objects, from
the Santa Clara-a-Velha Monastery assemblage, to Venetian production (three objects of cristallo and one object
of vitrum blanchum) and to identify two other distinct production lines.
One group comprising fragments from São João de TaroucaMonastery, presented medium alumina contents, differing
from known façon-de-Venise production centres. The other group includes most fragments from Miguel
Fernandes Square assemblage and has high alumina values, which, once again, is not consistent with any of the
known façon-de-Venise production centres. For these reasons, the existence of new façon-de-Venise production centres
is proposed.

In the present work, a set of archaeological glass fragments belonging to a singular 17th century... more In the present work, a set of archaeological glass fragments belonging to a singular 17th century glass flask with
gilded decoration was sampled and analyzed. The fragments were excavated in Coimbra, Portugal. The main
focus of this study is to bring to light the flask production technique, in particular the gilding process, and additionally,
to investigate the object's provenance based on the composition of the glass. A comprehensive survey of
ancient and traditional glass gilding techniques is also presented.
The glass and the gilded areaswere characterized using micro energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy
(μ-EDXRF), scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), X-ray electron
probe micro-analysis (EPMA) and laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS).
The flask is made of soda-lime-silica glass and the use of coastal plant ashes is suggested by the relatively high
content of MgO and K2O, as well as by the presence of chlorine. The high alumina content excludes a Venetian
provenance, and with regard to the contents of Na2O, SiO2, K2O, and CaO, the glass composition is distinct from
the façon-de-Venise glasseswhich have been studied, and only comparable to a few17th century millefiori glasses,
also recovered in Coimbra.
Lead was detected in the gilded areas suggesting that a lead based mordant was used in the gilding process to
promote the adhesion of the gold leaf to the glass during the low temperature reheating of the object. The gold
leaf composition was determined by LA-ICP-MS, and it was possible to ascertain its purity: between 22 and 23
gold carats.

Resinas epoxídicas-estudos de envelhecimento acelerado e sua aplicação em conservação e restauro ... more Resinas epoxídicas-estudos de envelhecimento acelerado e sua aplicação em conservação e restauro de vidro 2 Agradecimentos Queria começar por agradecer à minha orientadora Professora Doutora Ana Maria Ramos, pelos ensinamentos prestados, pela paciência com que os prestou e respondeu a todas as dúvidas;