midäd
Iraq
10th Century
Source: Alain George, 'Direct sea trade between early Islamic Iraq and Tang China', Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, Vol. 78, No. 3 (2015), pp. 579-617.
Recipe Details
Ingredients
soot, mixtures, Chinese oil (dahn)
Preparation Steps
The ink is described as being sold in the form of tablets (alwäh) onto which designs were stamped, such as the portrait of the king (p. 612). Al-Nadim notes it is highly durable, stating 'one piece is enough for a long time and the writing is lasting' (p. 612).
Original Recipe Text
The ink is described as being sold in the form of tablets (alwäh) onto which designs were stamped, such as the portrait of the king (p. 612). Al-Nadim notes it is highly durable, stating 'one piece is enough for a long time and the writing is lasting' (p. 612).
Evidence
"China has an ink (midäd) made from mixtures, which resembles Chinese oil (dahn). I have seen some of it in the form of tablets (alwäh), with the portrait of the king stamped on it. One piece is enough for a long time and the writing is lasting."
Remarks
Al-Nadim's use of the word 'midäd' accurately refers to soot ink, as opposed to the gallic ink ('hibr') typically used in Qur'ans of the period (p. 612). The stamped designs on the loaves likely represented the emperor or a man in Chinese dress (p. 612).
Scientific Analysis
Analytical Techniques
visual observation
Certainty Level
Confirmed
Instrumentally Verified
Not Verified
Metadata
Material Type
ink
BinderChinese oil (dahn)
RegionIraq
Approx. Year950
Source Information
AuthorAlain George, 'Direct sea trade between early Islamic Iraq and Tang China', Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, Vol. 78, No. 3
CollectionBaghdad
Language
N/A
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