Pompeii 12446 (type 3) Gold ribbon

Catalogue number Or 8 Inventory number 12446 Holding institution Archaeological Park of Pompeii Description Gold threads: filé couvert (z-twist) 30-35 twists per cm Strip width: 200 μm Strip thickness: 1-2 μm Core raw material: unidentifiable

Context

Site Pompeii Context Pompeii I, 18, 5 Excavation year 1959 Site phase

Basic information

Dimensions L. 22 mm W. 1 mm Object condition incomplete Object type gold ribbon Fabric structure 2/2 basket weave Warp and weft identified ✓

	System 1	System 2
Material	gold	gold
Fibre identification method	SEM	SEM
Colour
Yarn structure
Twist strength
Twist
Twist angle average
Twist angle range
Diameter average
Diameter range	0.1	0.1
Thread count average
Thread count range	130 - 32

FURTHER DETAILS

Selvedge type simple Other features SEM–EDX, FTIR: The identification of iron, silicon, calcium, and aluminium documents the presence of clay, most likely used together with binding substances to fix the strips to the organic fibres and to prevent damage to the internal core. Finally, the evident copper-like tone can be attributed to the presence of iron oxides, which, when present in large quantities, give the gold a warmer colour temperature. SEM-EDX: Au

References

Coletti, Francesca. I tessuti di Pompei e d’Area Vesuviana. A3TEX Series, I. Roma: Edizioni Quasar, 2025.

Galli, M., F. Coltti, A. Ciccola, and I. Srafini. “Archeologia e Archeometria Del Tessuto Antico: Un Gruppo Di Manufatti Aurei Dall’area Vesuviana (Pompei, Ercolano, Oplontis).” Scienze Dell’Antichità, no. 26.1 (2020): 205–23.

Galli, M., F. Coltti, and S. Mitschke. “Textile Culture at Pompeii” Project.” In Textiles, and Dyes in the Mediterranean Economy and Society. International Symposium on Textiles and Dyes in Th Ancient Mediterranean World, edited by M Gleba, M. S. Busana, and F. Meo, 275–93. Purpureae Vestes 6. Zaragoza: Libros Pórticos, 2018.

Data recorded by Francesca Coletti Data entered by Francesca Coletti