logwood water, saffron water, indigo flower water
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
paper leaves, alum (mušabbab), logwood water, saffron water, indigo flower water
Preparation Steps
The leaves are first soaked in water containing alum (p. 177). One then adds the desired colorant, such as logwood water, saffron water, or indigo flower water. The leaves are spread out in the shade on a thick Persian cane to dry. Once dry, they are burnished to prepare them for writing (p. 177).
Original Recipe Text
The leaves are first soaked in water containing alum (p. 177). One then adds the desired colorant, such as logwood water, saffron water, or indigo flower water. The leaves are spread out in the shade on a thick Persian cane to dry. Once dry, they are burnished to prepare them for writing (p. 177).
Evidence
"take the leaves you want, soak them in water with alum (mušabbab), throw logwood water, or saffron water or indigo flower water, or whatever water you prefer onto this"
Remarks
The term 'mušabbab' likely refers to a solution of alum in water, acting as a fixative (mordant) for the organic dyes (p. 177). Alum's role as a fixative in dyeing is well-attested in premodern technology.
Scientific Analysis
Analytical Techniques
Philological analysis
Certainty Level
Inferred
Instrumentally Verified
Not Verified
Metadata
Material Type
paper
Paper TypeDyeing of the leaves
ColorRed
RegionEgypt
Approx. Year1250
Source Information
AuthorRaggetti, L.
CollectionʿUyūn al-ḥaqāʾiq
Language
N/A
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