07-25-2004, 06:07 PM
Crispus,<br>
<br>
Working along your train of thought, the colour showing through the open leatherwork would likely have been painted. If so there would be no reason to have an additional piece of 'coloured' leather between the appliquesand the actual cover, as this could have been painted directly.<br>
<br>
So perhaps your looking for evidence of paint between layers or at least on the back of the applique. I'm not sure how well roman paint survives in peaty conditions, I'd guess poorly if at all.<br>
<br>
So to summarise, your looking for evidence of paint on leather, or two backed pieces of leather (one with openwork), which has probably been in peat for 1900 years and we are assuming that this artifact actually came from a scutum cover and not some other item!! You don't want much do you?<br>
<br>
Best of luck to you in finding the evidence your after, failing that, you've come up with sound reasoning..... make it anyway, cause a bit of controversy!<br>
<br>
Mummius <p></p><i></i>
<br>
Working along your train of thought, the colour showing through the open leatherwork would likely have been painted. If so there would be no reason to have an additional piece of 'coloured' leather between the appliquesand the actual cover, as this could have been painted directly.<br>
<br>
So perhaps your looking for evidence of paint between layers or at least on the back of the applique. I'm not sure how well roman paint survives in peaty conditions, I'd guess poorly if at all.<br>
<br>
So to summarise, your looking for evidence of paint on leather, or two backed pieces of leather (one with openwork), which has probably been in peat for 1900 years and we are assuming that this artifact actually came from a scutum cover and not some other item!! You don't want much do you?<br>
<br>
Best of luck to you in finding the evidence your after, failing that, you've come up with sound reasoning..... make it anyway, cause a bit of controversy!<br>
<br>
Mummius <p></p><i></i>
