Mora Samples Archive
Type Collection
Date of creation of the archive
- 1950
Date of closure of the archive
- 1989
Creator(s) of the archive
- Laura Sbordoni Mora
Paolo Mora
Summary Description
- The Mora Samples Archive comprises approximately 1,200 material samples, primarily mural paintings samples, but also ceramics, painted paper, textiles, stone, plaster, stucco, wood and glass. Collected by Paolo and Laura Mora between the 1950s and 1990s from heritage sites and monuments in at least 40 countries, the collection spans periods from approximately 2000 BCE to 1800 CE. The samples were used to document and investigate the diverse wall painting techniques and materials used by different cultures throughout history, and as didactic resources for ICCROM’s Mural Painting Conservation courses.
Extent
- Type and number of units
- 1 200
Object type
- Cross-section
Mosaic
Mural painting
Sample
Thin-section
Material type
- Animal material
Building related material
Ceramic, glass, enamel
Metal
Organic synthethic material
Paper
Pigment
Salt
Stone
Stucco
Textile, fabric, dyes
Wood
Historical period
- Historical period - start date
- -2000
- Historical period - end date
- 1800
Geographic Distribution
- Afghanistan, Belgium, China, Colombia, Croatia, Czech Republic, Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, India, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Korea Republic, Lebanon, Libya, Malta, Mexico, Morocco, Myanmar, Nepal, Oman Sultanate, Peru, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovak Republic, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Switzerland, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
Statement of Significance
- Established by renowned conservators Paolo and Laura Mora, the Mora Sample Archive holds 1200+ samples from heritage sites and monuments in 40+ countries dating from 2000 BCE - 1800 CE. Gathered in the 1960s-1990s during their work for ICCROM, mural paintings form the core of the collection, but other materials are also present, such as ceramic, stone, plaster, stucco and glass. The archive is maintained by ICCROM at its headquarters in Rome. In 2018 its reorganization began and now it has a digital catalogue. The archive has scientific and educational value as a resource for studying material cultures and for training heritage conservators. Notably, the samples come from sites and monuments of high importance, often where sampling is no longer possible. Many were collected from untreated objects, uncontaminated by modern materials. As such, the archive has documentary and evidential value, as a physical record of those objects at a particular moment in time. Its historical value lies in tracing the development of mural painting technologies around the world, and through its association with the Moras, the history of mural paintings conservation. It also bears testimony to the multilateral collaboration in heritage conservation that grew in the post WWII era. Finally, the outstanding quality of objects from which it derives lend it artistic and aesthetic value—the archive itself is beautiful: the colours, design and textures of the samples are striking, revealing small details such as brushstrokes and impasto. In summary, the Mora Sample Archive showcases mural painting technologies throughout the world from the earliest artistic expressions of humans, and is unique.
Accessibility
- Yes - upon request
Access requirements
- The Mora samples catalogue is available online. To grant access to the physical samples, researchers need to contact the Archivist in advance and demonstrate a legitimate need. Criteria applied are: the scientific interest of the research proposal; in case of request for analysis, use of non-destructive, non-invasive analytical techniques, which need to be carried out in ICCROM premises.
Type of users
- Researchers engaged in cultural heritage research
Keywords
- Archaeology
Architecture
Conservation
Excavation
Restoration
Treatment
Finding aids
- Catalogue available online
External link
- Name of the web site
- Mora Sample Collection Database