Bone black
This page presents the Spectroscopic analysis of this pigment.
The pigment has been examined using XRF spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, FTIR spectroscopy, and Reflectance Spectroscopy. These complementary techniques provide valuable insights into the pigment’s composition and structure.
This page aims to show which analytical methods are most effective for identifying this pigment in artworks and historical materials. By comparing results across different techniques, it serves as a practical reference for Heritage Science, Conservation, and Pigment Analysis.
It is made from charring animal bones and it has a high percentage of calcium phosphate. Used from prehistory throughout European medieval and Renaissance art, until modern times.
Manufacturer / product code: Kremer / 47100
Chemical description: made from charring animal bones. Kremer PDF
Color: black
Color Index: PBk9
More info: Pigments Through The Ages Colourlex
Raman Spectroscopy 532 nm – ElviRa Spectrometer for Art
Raman spectroscopy 785 nm
Pigments (powder, no binder)
Pigments with acrylic binder (Pigments Checker)
Pure pigments (no binder, just powder)
DOWNLOAD paper: “Pigments Checker version 3.0, a handy set for conservation scientists: A free online Raman spectra database”
Raman spectroscopy 830 nm
Pigments (powder, no binder)
XRF spectroscopy
DOWNLOAD previous database from Pigments Checker V.3 DOWNLOAD paper: R. Larsen, N. Coluzzi, A. Cosentino “Free XRF Spectroscopy database of Pigments Checker” Intl Journal of Conservation Science.
Reflectance Spectroscopy (200-1000 nm) – GorgiasUV Spectrometer
Reflectance spectroscopy – Gorgias spectrometer for Art
NIR Reflectance spectroscopy
