Raised decorations applied to Baroque polychrome sculpture in Coimbra, Portugal: the production of painter-gilders or sculptors?

Small, hand-formed decorations were recently discovered on the Baroque polychromy of about 30 sculptures in Coimbra, Portugal. The shape and thickness of such embellishments raised several questions regarding technical aspects and authorship. This paper surveys the different approaches that were adopted in order to understand this particular kind of creation: by consulting records to investigate their historical background; by searching through technical sources for information on their manufacture; and by analysing their materials. The different choices of materials made by the artists are highlighted.