Pour les structures et pour les décors. Approvisionnement et fournisseurs de matériaux métalliques dans le chantier de la cathédrale de Sienne (XIIIe-XIVe siècles)

A careful examination of the data concerning the construction site of the Cathedral of Siena between the 13th and 14th centuries allows to make some considerations regarding the supply of metal elements used in the field of building (lead for roof covering, tin for welding, iron used to reinforce certain structures or for window hardware), but especially in the decoration (tin for trimmings or finishes, wroutht iron for the choir's ironwork, gold, silver, copper and brass). Our goal is to propose some reflections on the complex world of the building site suppliers (manufacturers or distributors of metallic materials), in particular their origin and the type of relationship that linked them to the Opera itself. Our attention will also focus on the origin of semi-finished metal materials, from a larger area than the origin from which the stone, marble and wood came. The latter materials - in particular - came from such a small area surrounding the city of Siena that Santa Maria Cathedral was recently recognized as a "local product" ("produit du terroir").