turmeric (kurkum)

Ingredients

turmeric (kurkum) roots, sandarac, gold testicles root (?), linen oil

Preparation Steps

Original Recipe Text

Take turmeric roots and crush them dry, then with water. Combine two ounces of sandarac, three ounces of additional crushed turmeric, and one ounce of the root of the 'gold testicles' plant (described as having coriander-like leaves and growing near water). Place the mixture in a glass vessel and add three ounces of linen oil. Heat the vessel over a light fire while covered, stirring it through a hole. When the mixture reaches a consistency where it forms threads like gold, remove it from the fire and purify it by beating (p. 54).

Evidence

"Golden ink: take turmeric (kurkum) roots, crush them well without water up to the maximum and then with water; then take two ounces of sandarac, three ounces of crushed turmeric, and the root of “gold testicles” (?)"

Remarks

This ink is intended for application on various surfaces including glass, pottery, paper leaves (suhuf), and parchments (dafatir). It is described as providing an 'unparalleled gilding' (p. 54).