Abstract
The works for the rehabilitation of the building of the Lonja del Comercio, locates
in one of the privileged angles of the Plaza de San Francisco, one of the
five most important in the Historic Center of Old Havana, and the second in
antiquity, also included the cleaning and conservation of the slender statue
of the god Mercury, which rests at the top of its dome.
The piece, made of bronze, showed obvious signs of dirt, dust,
soot, deposits, as well as scale and corrosion products from di
different coloring.
This property is located in an area of high pollution, which in
it undoubtedly contributed to accelerating the corrosion processes.
To make a correct diagnosis of the deterioration, and from this make a
adequate proposal for his intervention, an observation was carried out
thorough examination of the statue's surface, and metal analysis was performed
base and the products of its alteration.
Optical microscopy (MO), X-ray diffraction (XRD), spectra
infrared (IR) copying, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled to a
Energy Dispersion X-ray Fluorescence Microanalyzer (ADEX).
The crystalline phases and fundamental components of the pro
corrosion ducts. Recommendations were given for the intervention and
maintenance.