Structural feature investigation of wooden artifacts through imaging techniques: A step forward in the preservation of historical musical instruments

Bowed string instruments represent a peculiar class of artworks, in some cases of historical relevance, capable of producing sound. Concert activity and natural ageing could cause mechanical stress that may lead to defects and fractures. Here, we propose an image-based methodology suitable to investigate such structural features in wooden instruments. The combined use of X-ray radiography and infrared thermography enabled a better identification and documentation of defects, woodworm galleries and cracks, thus enhancing the commonly employed approach.