W HE N S CIEN C E M E E T S A RT
SERV ICES
“ Analysis has always been the key to understanding the unknown. ”
CONFIDENTIALITY
Olivier BOBIN Co-founder, CEO, Scientific Director
AUTHENTICATION
Richard CHÉRET Co-founder, CEO, Business Director
D ATI N G
EDI TO RI A L For over 10 years, we have been working every day to offer you high quality services which deliver scientific information about your works of art.
Our model is based on significant know-how, an insistence on quality and the latest generation of equipment. We are happy and proud to guarantee, exceptional work over the long term.
At your side every day, we support you in choosing the best scientific solutions to implement in order to improve the knowledge about your objects, with irrefutable confidentiality.
Through this close working relationship, we continually strengthen strong bonds of trust and guarantee an efficient and honest collaboration.
To facilitate access to our services, we have offices and agents across Europe, North America, the Middle East and Asia.
The proven quality and the consistency of our performance has made CIRAM a trusted brand worldwide.
MATERIALS • WOOD, IVORY, TEXTILE, PAPER Fang Mask, Luba Ivory, Maya Carpet, Persian Manuscripts, Apaches Textiles…
• TERRACOTTA, EARTHENWARE, PORCELAIN Tang Horse, Djenne Maternity, Nok Sculpture, Court Lady, Tanagra, Ushabtis, Ming Vase, Bronze Core…
• STONE, MARBLE, SANDSTONE, JADE, SCHIST, GRANITE, LAPIS LAZULI Antique Marble, Gandhara Buddha, Bactrian & Cycladic Idole, Zhou Jade, Egyptian Granite, Olmec & Teotihuacan Mask, Sumerian Orante…
• BRONZE, IRON, SILVER, GOLD Ife Bronze Head, Greek & Roman Bronze, Warring States Fibula, Benin Plaque, Carolingian Coins, Sassanid Silver, Tumbaga, Liao Mask, Steel Swords…
• GLASS, ENAMEL, STAINED GLASS Mamluk Enamelled Lamp, Roman Glass, Egyptian Blue, Core-Glass, Champlevé…
• PAINTINGS: SUPPORT, PIGMENT, PAINT LAYERS Flemish Primitives, Italian Renaissance, Ancient and Medieval Mural, Impressionist, Modern and Contemporary Art…
METHODS RADIOCARBON DATING - C14 Determining the time elapsed since the death of the organism. Modern marker linked to atmospheric nuclear bombs.
THERMOLUMINESCENCE - TL Authenticity test. Estimating the age of the last heating of the material, by default considered as kiln-firing.
MICROANALYSIS Authenticity test. Analysis of the material composition and the weathering processes. Identification of traces from tools, polishing and surface deposits.
METALLOGRAPHY Authenticity test. Analysis of the metal composition, the nature and degree of corrosion. Trace elements. Searching for modernity indicators: Aluminium, Manganese, Phosphorus, Fake Patina...
MICROANALYSIS Authenticity test. Analysis of the chemical composition, pigments and alterations. Searching for evidence of chemical attack (Fluorine, Caustic Soda ...).
DATING, IMAGING, MICRONANALYSE Visualization of the preliminary charcoal sketches and identification of painting techniques with raking light, UV, IR and X-ray. Analysis of the chemical composition of the ground layer, pigment and binder. Dating of the support (canvas, wood, paper...) by Radiocarbon.
CIRAM INNOVATIONS
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GOLD DATING He-U-Th Method
As a result of multidisciplinary European research, it is now possible to date the manufacture of a gold object. Native gold contains small quantities of uranium (U) and thorium (Th), which will disintegrate over time and induce atoms of helium (He). By measuring the concentrations of U, Th and He, it is possible to calculate the age of the cast of gold. A fake made from antique gold parts will be discovered because the “old� helium will evaporate during the modern casting. However, this innovative technique is not particularly accurate because we are measuring very low concentrations of helium (tens of thousands of atoms). So it is better to consider it more as an authenticity test rather than precise dating.
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NEW FAKES Coupling TL / X-Ray & SEM / X-Ray
Counterfeiters often use old materials to manufacture a new generation of forgeries. By coupling the X-ray radiography or CT scan with Thermoluminescence tests (TL), or Metallographic study (SEM), it is possible to observe the internal structure of the objects, as well as their homogeneity. It is thus possible to differentiate an authentic object with a reconstructed fake.
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ANTIQUITY OF BRONZES Lead isotope 210Pb
This is an alternative to microanalysis of copper alloy and a very relevent technique for bronzes from 16th to 18th centuries. The isotope 210 of lead (210Pb) is always present in bronze during its manufacture, but it is unstable and it disappears completely in about 200 years. Therefore, if this isotope is detected in the alloy, the object is less than 200 years old.
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ROCK CRYSTAL Hydrating Antiquity Test
Rock crystal, agate and onyx do not degrade on historical periods. Associated with the studies of lapidary techniques (shaping and polishing), we measure the water penetration into the material by an ions beam (RBS and ERDA). The greater the amount of water absorbed, the older the object is. Fake objects do not contain any water.
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NON DESTRUCTIVE ANALYSIS PIXE external beam
Similar to AGLAE at the laboratory of the Louvre Museum, and in partnership with ARCANE form the Center for Nuclear Studies of Bordeaux Gradignan, CIRAM offers a non-destructive analysis by external beam PIXE for your glass, gold, silver objects and for your paintings. This particle accelerator enables a non-invasive and quantitative analysis of majors, minors and trace elements (<0.1%). Based on X-ray fluorescence energy spectrum, we identify the chemical composition.
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DATE AND IDENTIFY THE WOOD Coupling Radiocarbon 14C & Xylology
Radiocarbon dating of a wooden objects can sometimes be insufficient to determine antiquity. We can imagine a forger using old wood. The xylology, the study of wood species, coupled with the radiocarbon (14C) dating, will define whether the type of wood was used and known at the time and in the presumed place.
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DIET AND PROVENANCE δ13C and δ15N Ratio
Radiocarbon dating (14C) can bring more than just chronological data. By measuring the ratios of stable carbon isotope (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) found in ivory, bone or teeth, we can trace the sources of food. On a larger scale, we can provide information on feeding practices of any living being. It then becomes possible to identify food sources or a supply network. In addition, the measurement of the isotopic ratio of strontium (87Sr / 86Sr) allows an understanding of the origin and geographical mobility of individuals.
LABORATORY Right at the start, CIRAM located close by to the best laboratories of the University of Bordeaux, taking advantage of materials and major competences, to ensure its growth phase. Along with a regular and sustained investment in advanced equipment, supported by the Aquitaine region and the French innovation organisation OSEO, CIRAM is expanding its team with new specialists in dating and material analysis fields. Since 2014, CIRAM is now housed in its own building, comprising 300m2 of offices and laboratories, at Martillac, 20 km south of Bordeaux. From this strong and sustainable base, we guarantee high quality services and a continuous quest for innovation. Our team of doctors of science specializing in the study and dating of ancient materials now has at its disposable, its own latest generation of equipment such as a new Thermoluminescence machine (January 2015), an Optical and Electronic microanalysis set (2013) or a new high definition numeric camera for infrared reflectography (2014).
E X P E RT I S E
THEY TRUST US ART DEALERS
AUCTION HOUSES
Gallery Ariadne - New York Gallery Arte Y Ritual - Madrid Jacques Barrère - Paris Jacques Blazy - Paris Gallery Brimo de Laroussilhe - Paris Alain Bovis - Paris David Cahn - Basel Carlo Cristi - Milano Didier Claes - Brussels Kevin Conru - Brussels Christian Deydier - Paris Pierre Dartevelle - Brussels Gallery Deletaille - Brussels Bernard De Leye - Brussels Bernard Dulon - Paris Lance Entwistle - Paris & London Julien Flack - Paris Sam Fogg - London Gallery Gilgamesh - Paris Bernard de Grunne - Brussels Christophe Hioco - Paris Gallery Kaïkodo - New York Pr. Nasser D. Khalili Collection - London Gallery Mansour - London Santo Micali - Paris Gallery Monbrison - Paris, Brussels Nasser Gallery - New York Marcel Nies - Antwerpen Gallery Pace - New York Gallery Phoenix - Geneva, New York Gallery Ratton Ladrière - Paris Renzo Freschi - Milano Gallery Royal Athena - New York Simon Ray - London Jules Speelman - London Benjamin Steinitz - Paris Robert Vallois - Paris Michel Vandermeersch - Paris Floris Vanderven - Le 's-Hertogenbosch Rupert Wace - London Gallery Zen - Brussels
Sotheby's Christie's Bonhams Kohn - Paris Artcurial – Paris Piasa - Paris Pierre Bergé & Associés - Paris Cornette de St Cyr - Paris Enchères Rive gauche - Paris Hôtel des ventes des Chartrons - Bordeaux Hôtel des ventes des Graves - Portets
MUSEUMS Fondation Giacometti – Paris Louvre Museum - Paris Petit Palais Museum - Paris Auguste Rodin Museum - Paris Arthur Rimbaud Museum - Charleville Mézières Beaux-Arts Museum - Carcassonne Beaux-Arts Museum - Dijon Beaux-Arts Museum - Libourne in collaboration with the United States Embassy from Paris Beaux-Arts Museum - Pau Champollion Museum - Figeac Maritime History Museum - Noumea - New Caledonia History Museum - Strasbourg Georges-Labit Museum - Toulouse Lorrain Museum - Nancy Toulouse Lautrec Museum - Albi
FRENCH INSTITUTIONS Cities: Paris, Marseille, Reims, Agde, Bourges, Perpignan, Aix-en-Provence, Bordeaux Counties: Dordogne, Charente-Maritime, Finistère, Yvelines, Indre et Loire, Morbihan County Cultural Heritage departments: Aquitaine, Corse, Guyane, Ile de France, Haute-Normandie County Archaeological departments: Grand Ouest, Grand Sud-Ouest, Centre, Ile-de-France Private & University Archaeological Centers: DRASSM, Underwater Archaeology Center, Marseille ARC-NUCLEART, Grenoble BIBRACTE, European Archaeological Center, Mont-Beuvray
MONUMENTS Château de Versailles Cathédrale Notre Dame , Paris Cathédrale Sainte Cécile, Albi Abbaye Saint Savin sur Gartempe Château de Blois, aile François 1er Tribunal, Salle des Assises, Toulouse Église Notre Dame des Missions, Epinay sur Seine Chapelle du phare de Cordouan Église de Saint-Michel de Rieufret Gisant de Gilles de Bretagne, Saint Brieuc Église de Saint Jacques de Douarnenez Hôtel Lambert, Paris Château de Bourdeilles Église Saint-Georges, Paris Église de Ternand Église de Locquirec Couvent des Carmes, Perthuis Hôtel de la Marine, Bordeaux Le Logis de Viaulnay, Loigné sur Mayenne Église du Hameau du Bernet - Billière Palais de Longchamp, Marseille Chapelle de Barcugnas, Bagnères-de-Luchon Château Borély, Marseille Église Notre-Dame de Moncucq, Belves Église Saint Pierre, La Réole Vivé, Martinique Sites de Saint-Georges de l'Oyapock, Saut-Saillat, Sparouine, Saint Laurent du Maroni, Guyane Yuiketi, Bisdary, Gourbeyre, Grande Anse, Trois Rivières, Guadeloupe
Lons, Voie Nord / Sud, Pau Lieu-dit "Les Granges", Bernay La Chartreuse, Aubevoye Cambolle, Evreux Le Souc’h, Plouhinec Site gallo-romain du Fâ, Barzan La Génétouze, La Garde Château-Morand, Saint-Junien Rue Malaval, Marseille Lavoir de la Duchère, Lyon Épaves de la Natière, Saint-Malo Rue de la Fontaine, Bourges Église de La Chapelle-Saint-Mesmin
NEW YORK - LONDON - HONG KONG DUBAÏ - PARIS - BORDEAUX
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