Black (carbon), red, green, and ochre pigments

Ingredients

carbon source, binding agent, additives

Preparation Steps

Original Recipe Text

The recipe likely followed indigenous Malay traditions, which utilized carbon sources like soot, charcoal, or paper ash mixed with binders such as cashew gum or mangosteen skin (p. 6191). Specifically, Method 2 (Fermentation) involves placing old cobwebs, mangosteen skin charcoal, young rambutan charcoal, and fruit soaking charcoal into a vessel with water and virgin coconut oil. The mixture is fermented for several days until ready for use (p. 6191, Table 1.1).

Evidence

"Black ink is predominately employed in this manuscript; while red, black, green and ochre pigments are used for the illuminations. Two different inks, black and red, were used in writing of the word Bismillahirrahmanirrahim in which the red ink overlaying the black ink."

Remarks

The manuscript is dated 1802 AD and was copied by Muhammad Lebai. Analysis of the word 'Bismillahirrahmanirrahim' showed red ink layered over black ink. The manuscript also contains scribbled notes in Malay and Tamil (p. 6192).