**Author details**

*Heritage*

**7. Conclusion**

also highly valued by craftsmen and sculptors for their different technical than cult properties. Indeed, from a technical point of view, *Alstonia boonei* Wild (Apocynaceae) exudes a toxic latex used to coat the surface of sculptures because of its fungicidal and insecticidal properties, while the latex of *Hevea brasiliensis* (Euphorbiaceae) and that of *Ficus congensis* (Moraceae) are used to seal the carved objects. The same is true of the mucilaginous fruits of *Afraegle paniculata* (Schum. and Thonn.) Engl. (Rutaceae) which serve as glues used in pottery. As for the latex of the Iroko, *Chlorophora excelsa* (Moraceae), it is used specifically for its spiritual dimensions in the sculptures. The iroko is considered a sacred tree, frequently protected near homes and in cultivated fields. In Benin, it is used squarely as a fetish. The chemical analysis of binders of vegetable origin was much less approached than that of dyes, because it was necessary for these first works to select artifacts which can be compared, having similar functions and/or having a similar analytical technology. However, a binder sample taken from the yellow strip on a Guélédé crest mask **Ref. 60.004.102**, and subjected to microchemical staining tests on a thin section and of the heating plate, made it possible to observe a behavior typical of a natural emulsion. Its IR-TF spectrum displayed a very good correlation coefficient with that of the whole egg. It is interesting at this point to recall that during ethnobotanical field surveys, it was reported that an egg binder was used by the ancients

[20]. Its use strictly requires a state of purification since the day before.

that their use goes beyond the mere decorative function.

Analytical techniques IR-TF and HPLC-UV-Visible and microchemical tests applied to the study of dyes and pigments extracted from samples taken from ethnic objects including masks (Guèlèdé), statues of Ibéji, fetish and textiles from museum collections, provided, among other things, information on the matrix origin of materials than on the techniques used in their making. The dyes identified on the objects presented as an example are mostly of plant origin. They reveal the results of the entire corpus of objects studied and testify to the knowledge and use of local natural resources in the making of ethnic objects. However, natural mineral pigments such as kaolin, and soils rich in iron oxides, as well as two synthetic blue pigments have been identified on certain objects. Apart from the dyes, the binders reported in the manufacture of heritage objects come largely from the plant world, nevertheless binders to the whole egg or part of the egg were also reported during field surveys and highlighted. Regarding the way of African painting, it was observed that the color can be directly applied to the wood and then be covered with a resin or a tree sap (or conversely, the resin of first applied to the wood underlay). It can also be applied in two layers of different dyes. In addition, the application of dyes to specific places on the object, in particular the shade affixed to the heads, the dorsal column, or the face, denotes coded know-how which reveals

This work is the result of scientific collaboration between a North-South university institution and museum conservator-restorer. Indeed, a research program has been set up and continues to explore the field of coloring plants and organic exudates used by sculptors and craftsmen in West Africa. It brings together Louis Fagbohoun of the Higher Normal School of Natitingou of the National University of Sciences, Technologies, Engineering and Mathematics of

**34**

**8. Recognition**

Louis Fagbohoun1 \* and Cathy Vieillescazes2

1 Laboratory of Chemistry-Research Team Applied to Artistic and Cultuo-Bioactive Substances, Higher Normal School of Natitingou, National University of Sciences, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, Benin

2 IRPNC Team, UMR IMBE CNRS 7263/IRD 237, Avignon University, Avignon, France

\*Address all correspondence to: fadis07@yahoo.fr

© 2020 The Author(s). Licensee IntechOpen. This chapter is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/ by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
