iron-gall ink
Castile
13th Century
Source: Vieira, M.; Melo, M.J.; Nabais, P.; Lopes, J.A.; Lopes, G.V.; Fernández, L.F. (2024). The Colors in Medieval Illuminations through the Magnificent Scriptorium of Alfonso X, the Learned. Heritage, 7(1), 272-300.
Recipe Details
Ingredients
polyphenolic extract from galls, iron sulfate, gum arabic
Preparation Steps
According to Section 3.4 (p. 287), these inks are prepared using a polyphenolic extract from galls, an iron salt (usually iron sulfate), and gum arabic to keep the precipitate formed in suspension. Three different typologies were identified: INK 1 with peaks at 1337-1339, 1394-1398, 1484-1489, and 1588 cm-1; INK 2 (a mixture with carbon-based black); and INK 3 with peaks at 1333-1342, 1475-1480, and 1581 cm-1 (p. 287).
Original Recipe Text
According to Section 3.4 (p. 287), these inks are prepared using a polyphenolic extract from galls, an iron salt (usually iron sulfate), and gum arabic to keep the precipitate formed in suspension. Three different typologies were identified: INK 1 with peaks at 1337-1339, 1394-1398, 1484-1489, and 1588 cm-1; INK 2 (a mixture with carbon-based black); and INK 3 with peaks at 1333-1342, 1475-1480, and 1581 cm-1 (p. 287).
Evidence
"The black writing inks were identified using Raman spectroscopy as iron-gall inks."
Remarks
The study suggests the iron-gall ink structure in these manuscripts is more complex than a simplified iron-gallate due to shifts in the C-C ring vibrations (1475-1489 cm-1) and coordinated -COO- vibrations (1394-1398 cm-1) compared to standard assignments (p. 288).
Scientific Analysis
Analytical Techniques
Raman
Certainty Level
Confirmed
Instrumentally Verified
Verified
Metadata
Material Type
ink
BinderAcacia gum
ColorBlack
RegionCastile
Approx. Year1250
Source Information
TitleThe Colors in Medieval Illuminations through the Magnificent Scriptorium of Alfonso X, the Learned
AuthorVieira, M.; Melo, M.J.; Nabais, P.; Lopes, J.A.; Lopes, G.V.; Fernández, L.F.
CollectionRoyal Library of the El Escorial Monastery
Language
N/A
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