Non-invasive surface and sub-surface analysis of steel gauntlets by handheld optical coherence tomography

Year: 2026

Authors: Innocenti S., Peco G., Brini A., Cagnini A., Pezzati L., Striova J.

Autors Affiliation: CNR, Natl Inst Opt, Largo Enr Fermi 6, I-50125 Florence, Italy; Univ Roma La Sapienza, Dept Ancient Sci, Aldo Moro 5, I-00186 Rome, Italy; Opificio Pietre Dure, Lab Met Bronzi & Armi Ant, MiC Via Alfani 78, I-50121 Florence, Italy; MiC, Opificio Pietre Dure, Lab Sci, Viale F Strozzi 1, I-50129 Florence, Italy.

Abstract: Studying artworks’ surface morphology and stratigraphy is crucial for their interpretation, understanding, restoration, and preservation. Over the past twenty years, Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) has been gradually implemented in art conservation and archaeology. With advancements in technology and the miniaturisation of optical components, a handheld OCT probe has been developed, enabling the investigation of areas inaccessible to traditional benchtop instruments. In this study, we demonstrate the application of handheld OCT to examine the morphological characteristics of four gauntlets conserved at the Luigi Marzoli Museum in Brescia, Italy, providing new insights into their state of conservation. The versatility of the handheld OCT probe increases the potential and applicability of OCT for non-invasive analysis of cultural heritage, even in areas not easy to probe by traditional bench-top instruments. (c) 2026 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. This is an open access article under the CC BY license ( http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ )

Journal/Review: JOURNAL OF CULTURAL HERITAGE

Volume: 79      Pages from: 62  to: 69

More Information: S.I. is supported by the H2IOSC Project-Humanities and Cultural Heritage Italian Open Science Cloud (https://www.h2iosc. cnr.it/), funded by the European Union NextGenerationEU-National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP)-Mission 4 Education and Research Component 2 From research to business Investment 3.1, Fund for the realization of an integrated system of research and innovation infrastructures, Action 3.1.1 Creation of new research infrastructures strengthening of existing ones and their networking for Scientific Excellence under Horizon Europe- Project code IR0 0 0 0 029-CUP-B63C220 0 0730 0 05. Implementing Entity CNR.
KeyWords: OCT; Optical imaging; Handheld; Raman spectroscopy; Metallic artifacts; Steel
DOI: 10.1016/j.culher.2026.02.012