Lead white (Sefidab)
Persia
17th Century
Source: Koohkesh, N., Dredge, P., Howard, D., Lewincamp, S., Zekrgoo, S., & Alhagh, L. (2025). Synchrotron X-ray Fluorescence Microscopy for Characterising Pigments in Seventeenth-century Persian Illuminated Manuscripts. Studies in Conservation.
Recipe Details
Ingredients
metallic lead, vinegar vapour
Preparation Steps
Synthetically prepared by exposing metallic lead to vinegar vapour (acetic acid) to form lead acetate, which reacts with carbon dioxide to form lead carbonate hydroxide (p. 11).
Original Recipe Text
Synthetically prepared by exposing metallic lead to vinegar vapour (acetic acid) to form lead acetate, which reacts with carbon dioxide to form lead carbonate hydroxide (p. 11).
Evidence
"The suggested lead-containing white pigment is lead white... consistent with the SXFM results."
Remarks
Commonly used for framing lines, floral decorations, and ink (p. 10). It was also frequently added to other pigments to adjust hue and enhance brilliance/opacity (p. 17). In MUL 17, Raman analysis previously confirmed lead white (p. 12).
Scientific Analysis
Chemical CompositionPb3(CO3)2(OH)2
Analytical Techniques
Raman microscopy
Synchrotron-based scanning X-ray fluorescence microscopy (SXFM)
Certainty Level
Confirmed
Instrumentally Verified
Verified
Metadata
Material Type
pigment
ColorWhite
RegionPersia
Approx. Year1650
Source Information
AuthorKoohkesh, N., Dredge, P., Howard, D., Lewincamp, S., Zekrgoo, S., & Alhagh, L.
CollectionThe University of Melbourne Manuscripts Collection (MUL 17, MUL 76)
Language
N/A
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