iron(II) sulphate
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
gum Arabic, vitriol (iron(II) sulphate), oak galls, water
Preparation Steps
Reconstructed based on Recipe 2.II: 2g gum Arabic, 4g vitriol, 6g oak galls, 60mL water. Oak galls are broken into 4-5 pieces, placed in a bowl with boiled water, and left under sunlight for essence extraction and overnight to settle. The mixture is then boiled and filtered through cloth. Vitriol and gum Arabic are added while stirring; the mixture turns purple. After standing for a few hours, it turns darker and is filtered again (p. 136-137).
Original Recipe Text
Reconstructed based on Recipe 2.II: 2g gum Arabic, 4g vitriol, 6g oak galls, 60mL water. Oak galls are broken into 4-5 pieces, placed in a bowl with boiled water, and left under sunlight for essence extraction and overnight to settle. The mixture is then boiled and filtered through cloth. Vitriol and gum Arabic are added while stirring; the mixture turns purple. After standing for a few hours, it turns darker and is filtered again (p. 136-137).
Evidence
"unlike carbon ink, the gallo-tannic acid in iron gall ink allows the ink to penetrate deep into the substrate and bind with the paper fibres (Carvalho 1904); however, the damage it does to cellulose over time is well-known."
Remarks
Iron gall ink is the most fluid amongst tested inks, causing significant feathering. It is very hard to remove mechanically (p. 152). Cross-section analysis showed high penetration (28.5% average) (p. 148).
Scientific Analysis
Chemical CompositionFeSO4
Analytical Techniques
water sensitivity test
scanning electron microscopy (SEM-EDX)
cross-section-analysis
false colour infrared photography (FCIR)
Certainty Level
Confirmed
Instrumentally Verified
Verified
Metadata
Material Type
ink
BinderAcacia gum
Paper TypeZerkall 145 m GSM European acid free mould made paper
ColorPurple
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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