gall nuts, vitriol from Cyprus
Iraq
13th Century
Source: Raggetti, L. (2021). Ordinary Inks and Incredible Tricks in the ȀUyũn al-ᄥaqāȀiq. Brill.
Recipe Details
Ingredients
gall nuts, water, vitriol from Cyprus
Preparation Steps
Crushed gall nuts are macerated in water. The resulting colorless solution is used to write on paper. After the writing 'fades away' (dries), a solution of Cyprus vitriol ground in water is used to wash the leaf. The chemical reaction between the tannins in the gall nuts and the iron vitriol causes the script to turn black (p. 172).
Original Recipe Text
Crushed gall nuts are macerated in water. The resulting colorless solution is used to write on paper. After the writing 'fades away' (dries), a solution of Cyprus vitriol ground in water is used to wash the leaf. The chemical reaction between the tannins in the gall nuts and the iron vitriol causes the script to turn black (p. 172).
Evidence
"Take some gall nuts, crush them, macerate them in water, write with this on a leaf and leave it until it fades away. Then, take some good vitriol from Cyprus, grind it well, mix it with water and wash the leaf in it, and the writing will appear black."
Remarks
This is a 'magical' or stratified application of iron-gall ink components, where the final ink is formed in situ on the paper fibers (p. 172).
Scientific Analysis
Certainty Level
Inferred
Instrumentally Verified
Not Verified
Metadata
Material Type
ink
ColorBlack
RegionIraq
Approx. Year1250
Source Information
AuthorRaggetti, L.
CollectionCyprus
Language
N/A
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