Gates of Paradise: non-invasive analyses on 11th-12th century bronze doors in Italy: the case of Venice

Medieval doors in bronze or brass are rare: only about 30 doors from the 11th and 12th centuries have survived. These doors represent the largest complex of medieval monumental bronzes. The two 12th-century metal doors of St Mark's in Venice are among a total of eight doors made in Byzantium and shipped to Italy. Previous non-invasive surface XRF analyses have determined the alloy composition of the metal plates (see the GAPAMET project funded by the Austrian FWF [10.55776/P-34477-G]), but the question of the nature and chemical composition of the different inlays of the doors remained: The aim of this e-rihs project was to identify their characteristics.