white gold
Byzantium
14th Century
Source: Martelli, M. (2023). Late Byzantine Alchemical Recipe Books: Metallurgy, Pharmacology, and Cuisine. In Baki, C. & Eneyni, R. (Eds.), Policy Advisory Systems in Autocracies (pp. 336-353). Cambridge University Press.
Recipe Details
Ingredients
unburnt sulphur, red oil of eggs
Preparation Steps
Moisten unburnt sulphur with red oil of eggs and follow the heating and stirring procedures used for silver making to produce a 'shining gold' effect (p. 349).
Original Recipe Text
Moisten unburnt sulphur with red oil of eggs and follow the heating and stirring procedures used for silver making to produce a 'shining gold' effect (p. 349).
Evidence
"To make gold white. Moisten the unburnt sulphur with red oil of eggs and proceed according to the instructions given above; make gold shining."
Remarks
The text refers to making 'gold white,' which may signify a specific alchemical stage or a color variation of the alloy.
Scientific Analysis
Chemical CompositionS, egg oil
Analytical Techniques
philological analysis
Certainty Level
Inferred
Instrumentally Verified
Not Verified
Metadata
Material Type
pigment
Binderred oil of eggs
ColorGold
RegionByzantium
Approx. Year1350
Source Information
AuthorMartelli, M.
CollectionMS Vaticanus gr. 1174, f. 49v
Language
N/A
AI Suggestions
Find similar recipes based on ingredients and preparation methods.