Carbon-based ink

Ingredients

carbon source, gum, additives

Preparation Steps

Original Recipe Text

The paper describes three general Malay indigenous recipes likely used for such manuscripts. Method 1 (Boiling–Drying): Ingredients include 5 cups of soot/lamp black, a fistful of ground cashew gum, exiguous mangosteen skin charcoal, 1 teaspoon of ground black pepper, 5 liters of pure water, a pinch of salt, and a bit of virgin coconut oil. The dried cashew gum and black pepper are pounded into powder. Water is added to a vessel with the dry ingredients, followed by salt and virgin coconut oil. The mixture is boiled until homogenized, then dried into cakes for later use (p. 6191).

Evidence

"Black and red ink employed in this manuscript. Good condition Different effects of writing probably due to two types of pen/qalam used."

Remarks

The Hikayat Hang Tuah (Add. 12384) was copied in the early 19th century (1805-1842) in Jawi script. Microscopic analysis showed the ink to be in good condition, with distinct writing effects attributed to the use of different pens (p. 6192-6193).