2025-07-072025-07-072025-07-03Torres González, M., Blasco-López, F.J. y Alejandre Sánchez, F.J. (2025). Historical "Sebka" Plaster Claddings: Geometric Analysis, Construction Insights, Conservation Status, and Digital Recreation of Polychrome. International Journal of Architectural Heritage. https://doi.org/10.1080/15583058.2025.2523054.1558-3066https://hdl.handle.net/11441/175040Historic plasterwork façades, particularly sebka panels in UNESCO World Heritage sites such as the Courtyard of the Maidens, represent outstanding examples of Islamic and Mudéjar decorative traditions. Despite their cultural significance, these ornamental claddings are highly susceptible to environmental degradation, structural vulnerabilities, and inappropriate restoration practices. This research adopts an interdisciplinary approach to the preventive conservation of historical plasterwork, combining geometric analysis, environmental monitoring, and material characterisation. Non-destructive techniques, such as infrared thermography (IRT), allowed for the diagnosis of concealed pathologies and construction systems, while XRD analysis provided unprecedented insight into the original polychrome finishes. The study identified typological variations in sebka panels and underscored the role of temperature and relative humidity fluctuations in the mechanical failure of decorative elements, such as pineapples and metal fixings. Crucially, the analysis of the remaining polychromies revealed the original colour palette — featuring azurite blue, vermilion, red ochre, and organic black — thereby recovering the chromatic richness of these unique plasterworks. The outcomes of this research offer innovative preventive conservation strategies and a comprehensive diagnostic methodology that can serve as a reference for the preservation of Islamic-Mudéjar plasterwork in Spain and beyond, ensuring the safeguarding of their material authenticity and artistic integrity.application/pdf17 p.engAttribution-NonCommercial 4.0 Internationalhttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/plasterworkcladdingpolychromyWorld Heritage Sitepreservationinfo:eu-repo/semantics/articleinfo:eu-repo/semantics/embargoedAccess10.1080/15583058.2025.2523054