iron oxide red, red ochres, or hematite
Nigeria
Source: Biddle, M. L. (2011). Beyond the Word: Ink in the Islamic Manuscripts of Northern Nigeria. MRS Proceedings, 1319, mrsf10-1319-ww05-02. doi:10.1557/opl.2011.923
Recipe Details
Ingredients
red ochre, hematite, gum, manganese dioxides (for purple-browns)
Preparation Steps
Minerals such as ochres were ground and sieved to convert them into pigments (p. 4). Through levigation, wet grinding, and decantation, these colored minerals were homogenized into finer products. Finer particles were used in suspension in gummed water as ink, while thicker solutions served as pigments (p. 4).
Original Recipe Text
Minerals such as ochres were ground and sieved to convert them into pigments (p. 4). Through levigation, wet grinding, and decantation, these colored minerals were homogenized into finer products. Finer particles were used in suspension in gummed water as ink, while thicker solutions served as pigments (p. 4).
Evidence
"None were soluble, confirming red ochres or hematite [after testing with hydriodic acid]... X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF)... confirmed the identification of iron in the red ink."
Remarks
Red, yellow and purple-brown ochres were the source of every red, yellow and purple-brown pigment tested in Northern Nigerian Qur’anic decoration (p. 4). Ochres are easily found in the iron-rich earth of Northern Nigeria (p. 4).
Scientific Analysis
Chemical CompositionFe2O3
Analytical Techniques
polarized light microscopy (PLM)
XRF
solubility testing (hydriodic acid)
Certainty Level
Confirmed
Instrumentally Verified
Verified
Metadata
Material Type
pigment
BinderTempera (Egg Yolk)
ColorPurple
RegionNigeria
Source Information
AuthorBiddle, M. L.
CollectionNorthern Nigerian Qur’ans
Language
N/A
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