Kotelnikov Pavel N.  — restorer of the highest category of metal works; The State Research Institute for Restoration, head of the department of scientific restoration of metal works
E-mail: pvl.kotelnikov@yandex.ru

Mikhailova Anna V. — The State Research Institute for Restoration, Department of Scientific Restoration of Metal Works, junior researcher
E-mail: mikhannavlad11@gmail.com

Natsky Mikhail V. — restorer of the highest qualification, The State Research Institute for Restoration, Department of Scientific Restoration of Metal Works, restorer
E-mail: mike.natsky@gmail.com

Ravich Irina G. — Dr. Ph. D., The State Research Institute for Restoration, Department of Scientific Restoration of Metal Works, leading researcher
E-mail: ravich41@mail.ru

The article is devoted to determining the composition of Russian cabinet sculpture of the late 19th – early 20th centuries cast from brass and studying the characteristics of its destruction. The aim of the work is to study the possible relationship between the composition, design features and nature of destruction of sculptures for the subsequent development of methods for their restoration. The research was based on samples of sculptures collected by A. F. Dubrovin, who was unable to analyze them due to his untimely death in 2015, as well as sculptures from museums and private collections undergoing research and restoration at the State Research Institute for Restoration, Metal Department. The composition of the products was determined using the non-destructive method of X-ray fluorescence analysis (XRF) on a HitachiX-Met8000 device and using scanning electron microscopy on a HitachiTM4000Plus device with an attachment for micro-X-ray spectral analysis Quaniax 75 (Bruker). As a result of the analysis of 41 sculptures and the construction of histograms of their composition, a standard norm of zinc (25–30%) and lead (1–5%) content was identified, which was adhered to by Russian masters during the period under consideration. The metal of all the products was distinguished by its purity, containing no more than tenths of a percent of iron; other elements in quantities of tenths of a percent (nickel, manganese, silicon, magnesium) were found sporadically. The results obtained with further accumulation of data can be used in the attribution of Russian cabinet sculpture. It has been established that the destruction of the cast brass cabinet sculpture is not due to its composition, but to the peculiarities of its design, which leads to the appearance of cracks due to internal stresses.

Brass, cabinet sculpture, casting, composition, destruction, Russia, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray fluorescence analysis.