Verdigris (cupric acetate)

Ingredients

copper strips, vinegar fumes, wine, saffron

Preparation Steps

Original Recipe Text

Verdigris was produced by exposing copper strips to vinegar fumes to induce corrosion. The resulting pigment was scraped off, mixed with wine, and allowed to thicken (p. 7). In Ottoman practice, it was referred to as 'jengar' or 'zangar' and was primarily used for ruling text (p. 7).

Evidence

"In Ottoman resources, verdigris so-called ‐jengar or zangar‑ was said to be used generally for ruling the text. But it is destructive and degrades the cellulosic materials and parchment"

Remarks

Verdigris is noted for its high reactivity and incompatibility with lead white and orpiment. It exists in basic and neutral forms and its reflectance changes upon drying (p. 7). It reacts destructively with binding media and surfaces like paper and parchment, often causing charring (p. 7).