yellow arsenic (orpiment), indigo
Iraq
13th Century
Source: Raggetti, L. (2021). Ordinary Inks and Incredible Tricks in the ȀUyũn al-ᄥaqāȀiq. Brill.
Recipe Details
Ingredients
yellow arsenic, orpiment, indigo, dissolved gum
Preparation Steps
Well-ground yellow arsenic (orpiment) is mixed with indigo. The ratio is specified as a quarter dirham of indigo for every mithqal of orpiment. The mixture is ground until the desired green shade is achieved, then dissolved gum is poured onto it (p. 168).
Original Recipe Text
Well-ground yellow arsenic (orpiment) is mixed with indigo. The ratio is specified as a quarter dirham of indigo for every mithqal of orpiment. The mixture is ground until the desired green shade is achieved, then dissolved gum is poured onto it (p. 168).
Evidence
"Take some well-ground yellow arsenic (orpiment), add a quarter dirham of indigo for each miᄡāl of it [yellow arsenic]; grind it until you like the green hue of its colour"
Remarks
This recipe relies on the optical mixing of yellow (orpiment) and blue (indigo) to create a green pigment, a common practice in medieval Islamic ink-making (p. 168).
Scientific Analysis
Certainty Level
Inferred
Instrumentally Verified
Not Verified
Metadata
Material Type
ink
Binderdissolved gum
ColorGreen
RegionIraq
Approx. Year1250
Source Information
AuthorRaggetti, L.
CollectionUnknown
Language
N/A
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