Non-destructive characterization of Della Robbia sculptures at the Bargello museum in Florence by the combined use of PIXE and XRF portable systems

In situ non-destructive characterization of the blue pigments present in the ceramic glazes of Della Robbia sculptures have been carried out at the Bargello museum in Florence. PIXE and XRF portable systems have been used to determine the matrix composition and the trace-elements, respectively. The results indicate that the arsenic is present as trace-element only after 1520.