Revealing the secrets of a lacquered leather artifact through molecular fingerprints

This study reveals the composition and craftsmanship of a lacquered leather artifact from a Tang Dynasty tomb through molecular fingerprint analysis. The artifact was systematically analyzed and identified using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM–EDS), and pyrolysis gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (Py-GC–MS). The results showed that FTIR and SEM analyses confirmed that the leather base of the artifact, while Py-GC–MS identified aliphatic aldehydes, unsaturated carbon chains, benzene rings, and long-chain hydrocarbons in the artifact, confirming the presence of lacquer. These findings demonstrate the effective integration of molecular fingerprinting techniques in the study of complex, deteriorated artifacts and provide scientific insights into the application of lacquer technology in Tang Dynasty artifacts.