vermillion (zanghafr) or cochineal

Ingredients

vermillion, cochineal

Evidence

"Further testing on the red would be useful as different substances were used in various regions to produce red: vermillion (zanghafr) was typical in the East, whereas cochineal was common in the Maghrib, not only for manuscript illumination but also for dying skins."

Remarks

Red ink was used for orthographic marks (vowels, sukun, shadda), chapter titles, and marginal notes (p. 62, 64). The text notes that while vermillion was common in the East, cochineal was more frequent in the Maghrib region for both manuscripts and leatherwork (p. 63).