البقم الأحمر
Egypt
14th Century
Source: Muhammad bin Abi al-Khair al-Hasani (known as Al-Araj), Zahr al-Basatin fi 'Ilm al-Mashatin (The Flower of Gardens in the Science of Automata/Mechanical Devices).
Recipe Details
Ingredients
البقم, اللك
Preparation Steps
The recipe involves constructing a wax figure. To create a blood-like effect for a decapitation trick, the neck of the figure is filled with a red liquid derived from either 'Baqqam' (brazilwood/logwood) or 'Lakk' (lac pigment) (p. 59). The colorant is intended to flow out when the head is 'severed' with a lead sword to simulate an execution.
Original Recipe Text
The recipe involves constructing a wax figure. To create a blood-like effect for a decapitation trick, the neck of the figure is filled with a red liquid derived from either 'Baqqam' (brazilwood/logwood) or 'Lakk' (lac pigment) (p. 59). The colorant is intended to flow out when the head is 'severed' with a lead sword to simulate an execution.
Evidence
"وتملأه من البقم الأحمر ، أو من اللك"
Remarks
The footnote (6) identifies the Baqqam as Haematoxylon campechianum, though in medieval Arabic contexts, it more frequently refers to Caesalpinia sappan. The text highlights these as the primary sources for vivid red aqueous colorants in technical curiosities (p. 59).
Scientific Analysis
Analytical Techniques
Documentary analysis
Certainty Level
Inferred
Instrumentally Verified
Not Verified
Metadata
Material Type
pigment
Binderالللك
Colorالأحمر
RegionEgypt
Approx. Year1350
Source Information
AuthorMuhammad bin Abi al-Khair al-Hasani
CollectionUnknown
Language
N/A
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