They are considered nineteenth century (neo-alhambreño) but their anthropometric analysis shows the same metric as the palaces of the Alhambra (except modern tiles).Do you know any other procedures to date them?
Francisco,
Metrics can be copied from the original, so that is not really a factor. If one assumes that over time the wood planks in the doors have been replaced, then tree ring dating or 14C dating would not be feasible. I do wonder, though, if one could take a small drill sample of the wrought iron hinges and other hardware and possibly have 14C dating done on the shavings. Wrought iron should have plenty of carbon throughout its matrix from the forging process. Enough of a sample might be collected in order to have that carbon dated. You can probably contact some lab, like Beta Analytical, to see if this is possible.
JAG
Some wooden doors also feature Nazari metric. What dating technique is more reliable, on wood, iron, ceramic, lime mortar, plaster, ...?
Francisco,
For wood and charcoal/carbon 14C dating is fairly reliable. It really isn't that good for something dating newer than around 1850, but since Alhambra dates earlier than that a recent date would answer your question too. As I said, the carbon in wrought iron might be used to date the doors, but I am not certain and also don't know how large a sample would be needed if it was possible. Lime mortar and lime plaster that uses calcium carbonate can be dated by 14C, though it takes a larger sample than normal carbon dating. Ceramics can be dated using thermoluminescence. Tree ring dating for the wood is the most accurate, but there needs to be a sufficient number of rings in the sample in order to compare with known baseline data in that area if established.
JAG
Thanks James. I am looking for an institution that is interested in analyzing these works.
I think the metric should be an important factor for the dating of a work. In the past it was tradition to use local measurement.
Copying the general measures of another existing work can be easy. However it is very complicated to copy the parts (bricks, ashlars, boards, ...) as it requires a custom manufacturing.
Francisco,
You are right in some aspects. In the U.S. dimensional lumber (2x4, 2x6, etc.) were not standardized until 1928. Prior to that time lumber was cut by each mill to their own standards and house plans that could be bought had to depend on a recommended supplier in order to be useable. With hand-wrought hinges, etc. the problem would be that each blacksmith would be crafting it to his own specifications. There is probably a range of thicknesses that would be stout enough for the job without being metal wasteful. You probably would have to use an average thickness for that period. Later hardware could have been cast and then battered to look wrought. Those should be of more even thickness.
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