gold leaf

Spain
15th Century
Source: Restaurator, 2008, 76–106
Recipe Details

Ingredients

gold leaf, silver leaf, citric acid, saffron, gum arabic

Preparation Steps

After dissolving the gold leaf in citric acid, add water and let the liquid stand until the gold particles drop to the bottom. Add a bit of saffron and dilute gum Arabic to begin writing (p. 79).

Original Recipe Text

After dissolving the gold leaf in citric acid, add water and let the liquid stand until the gold particles drop to the bottom. Add a bit of saffron and dilute gum Arabic to begin writing (p. 79).

Evidence

"The manuscripts were also gilded or silver-leafed. The gold or silver leafs could also be ground in the preparation of ink."

Remarks

Used for important texts or those of the highest quality (p. 79). Book 10 contains gold and a little silver (p. 84, 95).

Scientific Analysis
Chemical CompositionAu, Ag
Analytical Techniques
SEM/EDX
Certainty Level
Probable
Instrumentally Verified
Verified
Metadata
Material Type
ink
BinderAcacia gum
ColorGold
RegionSpain
Approx. Year1450
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