Xylological investigation of the door of the Orphanage and ex-Abbey of St. Second in Amelia, during the restoration phases

Abstract

A lot of objects with historical and artistical significance in cultural heritage assets are made of wood. This is due not only to the availability of raw material and its easy processing, but also to the natural beauty and durability of wood against biological degradation and weathering. For these characteristics, wood has been widely used for musical instruments, furniture, paintings, sculptures, etc. In this context, the study of wooden doors in historic buildings plays a primary role when the ancient town centers are investigated. The doors, in fact, can be considered artifacts expressing historical, aesthetic and technological values of historical buildings, revealing at the same time a great durability in regards to the most relevant degradation agents. Their importance, therefore, is crucial in the analysis of historical events and problems related to their conservation.

In this contribution, the wooden door of the ex-Abbey of St. Second in Amelia (province of Terni, Italy) has been investigated with the main objective to gather knowledge of its state of conservation to supply information for the restoration process. The investigation was performed through direct observation and analysis of wood micro-samples in the laboratory for characterizing the species. Hardwood species were found. The study was carried out in occasion of the restoration work performed in last year (2016).