golden yellow arsenic (orpiment)
Egypt
13th Century
Source: Raggetti, L. (2021). Ordinary Inks and Incredible Tricks in the ʿUyūn al-ḥaqāʾiq. In: Raggetti, L. (eds) Traces of Ink. Brill.
Recipe Details
Ingredients
golden yellow arsenic (orpiment), water, dissolved gum arabic
Preparation Steps
The process begins by taking golden yellow arsenic, pulverizing it, and sifting it (p. 167). The powder is then ground with water on an impermeable stone slab until it reaches a point where it no longer absorbs water. Dissolved gum arabic is then poured onto the mixture until it reaches a satisfactory consistency. The ink should be stored for future use in writing or painting (p. 167).
Original Recipe Text
The process begins by taking golden yellow arsenic, pulverizing it, and sifting it (p. 167). The powder is then ground with water on an impermeable stone slab until it reaches a point where it no longer absorbs water. Dissolved gum arabic is then poured onto the mixture until it reaches a satisfactory consistency. The ink should be stored for future use in writing or painting (p. 167).
Evidence
"Take some golden yellow arsenic (orpiment), pulverize it, sift it, and grind it with water on an impermeable stone slab until it does not absorb any more water"
Remarks
Similar recipes for yellow ink are noted in the works of al-Fani and al-Marrakushi, though this specific version emphasizes the use of an impermeable slab to ensure the material does not absorb into the surface during grinding (p. 167).
Scientific Analysis
Chemical CompositionAs2S3
Analytical Techniques
Philological analysis
Certainty Level
Inferred
Instrumentally Verified
Not Verified
Metadata
Material Type
ink
BinderAcacia gum
ColorYellow
RegionEgypt
Approx. Year1250
Source Information
AuthorRaggetti, L.
CollectionʿUyūn al-ḥaqāʾiq by al-ʿIrāqī
Language
N/A
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