golden yellow arsenic (orpiment)

Iraq
13th Century
Source: Raggetti, L. (2021). Ordinary Inks and Incredible Tricks in the ȀUyũn al-ᄥaqāȀiq. Brill.
Recipe Details

Ingredients

golden yellow arsenic, orpiment, water, gum arabic

Preparation Steps

The recipe directs to take golden yellow arsenic (orpiment), pulverize and sift it. It is then ground with water on an impermeable stone slab until it stops absorbing water. Dissolved gum arabic is added to the mixture until a satisfactory consistency is reached. It is stored for future use in writing or painting (p. 167).

Original Recipe Text

The recipe directs to take golden yellow arsenic (orpiment), pulverize and sift it. It is then ground with water on an impermeable stone slab until it stops absorbing water. Dissolved gum arabic is added to the mixture until a satisfactory consistency is reached. It is stored for future use in writing or painting (p. 167).

Evidence

"Take some golden yellow arsenic (orpiment), pulverize it, sift it, and grind it with water on an impermeable stone slab until it does not absorb any more water; pour the dissolved gum arabic onto it until you are satisfied with it"

Remarks

The text emphasizes grinding on an 'impermeable stone slab' to ensure proper pigment suspension. The author notes it as 'excellent' for both writing and painting (p. 167).

Scientific Analysis
Chemical CompositionAs2S3
Certainty Level
Inferred
Instrumentally Verified
Not Verified
Metadata
Material Type
ink
BinderAcacia gum
ColorYellow
RegionIraq
Approx. Year1250
Source Information
AuthorRaggetti, L.
CollectionUnknown
Language
N/A
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