Dyeing of the leaves (ṣibāġ al-waraq)

Ingredients

alum (mušabbab), logwood water, saffron water, indigo flower water

Preparation Steps

Original Recipe Text

Soak the paper leaves in water treated with alum (mušabbab), which acts as a fixative. Apply a coloring agent such as logwood water, saffron water, or indigo flower water. The treated leaves are then spread in the shade on a thick Persian cane to dry (p. 177). Once dried, they are burnished to prepare the surface for writing (p. 177).

Evidence

"soak them in water with alum (mušabbab), throw logwood water, or saffron water or indigo flower water, or whatever water you prefer onto this; then spread [the leaves] in the shade on a thick Persian cane until they have dried"

Remarks

The term 'mušabbab' is noted as a technical neologism for a solution of alum in water (p. 177). This procedure is used to obtain colored leaves for writing with metallic or specialized inks.