Ebony Mimesis: Art and Craft Unmasked

In the 17th century, Antwerp was a major European trade center for luxury goods. Among these goods were elaborately crafted cabinets, often adorned with high-value materials and decorative techniques such as silver, silk, panel paintings, ivory, tortoiseshell, and ebony. Ebony is a rare and expensive exotic
black wood, which was used for the veneer and the moldings. However, historical records indicate that cabinetmakers also employed imitation techniques to replicate the appearance of ebony. This thesis investigates the materials and methods used in these imitations, aiming to uncover craft practices that remain obscure today. A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining historical research with scientific analysis, including wood identification through optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), as well as chemical characterization using portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF) and SEM EDX. The findings show that, although identifying ebony imitations remains a complex task, evidence of the practice persists in both surviving artifacts and historical documentation.

The integrated methodology proved effective in detecting imitations at multiple levels, offering a valuable toolset for future research in historical craftsmanship and conservation. Nevertheless, further investigation is required to fully understand the scope and techniques of this early form of material substitution.