Soot
Persia
16th Century
Source: Zekrgoo, Sadra. "Methods of Creating, Testing and Identifying Traditional Black Persian Inks." Restaurator. International Journal for the Preservation of Library and Archival Material 35, no. 2 (2014): 133-158.
Recipe Details
Ingredients
Soot, gum Arabic, rose water, rock sugar (sugar candy), salt, ox gall
Preparation Steps
Based on Recipe 1.III: Enough hot water is added to gum Arabic powder and stirred until it has a honey-like colour and consistency. The soot is placed in a mortar and the gum Arabic solution is added and set to bray for one full hour. Newly made ink is placed in a bottle and shaken over several intervals for several hours. Depending on fluidity/tone, soot or gum can be added, followed by rebraying and whipping. Rose water, brayed rock sugar (sugar candy), and salt are added for aroma, gloss, and preservation. Traditionally, ox gall was added to keep insects away (p. 135).
Original Recipe Text
Based on Recipe 1.III: Enough hot water is added to gum Arabic powder and stirred until it has a honey-like colour and consistency. The soot is placed in a mortar and the gum Arabic solution is added and set to bray for one full hour. Newly made ink is placed in a bottle and shaken over several intervals for several hours. Depending on fluidity/tone, soot or gum can be added, followed by rebraying and whipping. Rose water, brayed rock sugar (sugar candy), and salt are added for aroma, gloss, and preservation. Traditionally, ox gall was added to keep insects away (p. 135).
Evidence
"This ink has the least amount of ingredients... Enough hot water is added to gum Arabic powder and stirred until it has a honey-like colour and consistency (Sabzevari 1545). ... The soot is placed in a mortar and the solution mentioned above is added and set to bray for one full hour."
Remarks
The paper notes that carbon ink is extremely stable and does not involve chemical reactions damaging paper, but it is sensitive to water and abrasion as it stays mostly on the surface (p. 135-136). Testing on Zerkall paper showed little fluidity and no feathering (p. 146).
Scientific Analysis
Chemical CompositionC
Analytical Techniques
scanning electron microscopy
cross-section-analysis
false colour infrared photography
abrasion endurance
water solubility
Certainty Level
Confirmed
Instrumentally Verified
Verified
Metadata
Material Type
ink
BinderAcacia gum
Paper TypeZerkall 145 m GSM European acid free mould made paper
ColorBlack
RegionPersia
Approx. Year1550
Source Information
AuthorZekrgoo, Sadra. "Methods of Creating, Testing and Identifying Traditional Black Persian Inks." Restaurator. International Journal for the Preservation of Library and Archival Material 35, no. 2
CollectionGreat Bazaar of Tehran, Iran
Language
N/A
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