iron-gall inks

Spain
13th Century
Source: Vieira, M.; Melo, M.J.; Nabais, P.; Lopes, J.A.; Lopes, G.V.; Fernández, L.F. The Colors in Medieval Illuminations through the Magnificent Scriptorium of Alfonso X, the Learned. Heritage 2024, 7, 272–300.
Recipe Details

Ingredients

polyphenolic extract from galls, iron sulfate, gum arabic

Preparation Steps

Prepared using a polyphenolic extract from galls, an iron salt (usually iron sulfate), and gum arabic to keep the precipitate formed in suspension (p. 287).

Original Recipe Text

Prepared using a polyphenolic extract from galls, an iron salt (usually iron sulfate), and gum arabic to keep the precipitate formed in suspension (p. 287).

Evidence

"The black writing inks were identified using Raman spectroscopy as iron-gall inks... INK 1, present in the Musicians’ codex... INK 3 present in the Lapidary and the Book of Games."

Remarks

Three different ink typologies were identified: INK 1 (Musicians’ codex), INK 2 (Musicians’ codex fol. 29r, possibly mixed with carbon-based black), and INK 3 (Lapidary and Book of Games). The variations in Raman peaks (1333–1588 cm−1) suggest different formulations or degradation stages (p. 287).

Scientific Analysis
Chemical Compositioniron-gallate complex
Analytical Techniques
Raman
Certainty Level
Confirmed
Instrumentally Verified
Verified
Metadata
Material Type
ink
BinderAcacia gum
Paper TypeParchment
ColorBlack
RegionSpain
Approx. Year1250
Source Information
AuthorVieira, M.; Melo, M.J.; Nabais, P.; Lopes, J.A.; Lopes, G.V.; Fernández, L.F. The Colors in Medieval Illuminations through the Magnificent Scriptorium of Alfonso X, the Learned. Heritage 2024, 7, 272–300.
CollectionMusicians’ codex, Lapidary, Book of Games
Language
N/A
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