cinnabar

Ingredients

cinnabar, pomegranate rind, green walnut rind, green gallnut, Isfahan antimony, myrtle juice

Preparation Steps

Original Recipe Text

Cinnabar (zanjafr) is used to create red inks by mixing pulverized pigment into a solution of pomegranate rind, walnut rind, green gallnut, and Isfahan antimony (p. 21). A 'pretty red ink' is described where red cinnabar is washed in water until a foam is raised—the foam containing impurities is decanted, and the remaining pigment is dried on a brick until the dampness is gone, then powdered and beaten with gallnut water (p. 25).

Evidence

"In one of these flasks, pulverized cinnabar is put. It is stirred with the pen. This is red ink."

Remarks

Ibn Badis identifies cinnabar as the primary red pigment, though red lead (minium) is also mentioned for coppery or orange shades (p. 23, 30). The washing process (p. 25, note 180) reflects an early understanding of mineral purification, where the 'froth' was assumed to contain impurities and was decanted to achieve a more vibrant color.