mercury sulphide (HgS), cinnabar or vermilion
Ethiopia
17th Century
Source: Wion, A. (2004). An Analysis of 17th-century Ethiopian Pigments. In: Christian Ethiopian Art.
Recipe Details
Ingredients
cinnabar, vermilion
Preparation Steps
In the manuscript, vermilion is pure in bright red areas. When mixed with black, it appears as various shades of brown and ochre (p. 105). In mural paintings, it is used for dark red drapery. The author notes that it was likely imported as no cinnabar mines are documented in Ethiopia (p. 105).
Original Recipe Text
In the manuscript, vermilion is pure in bright red areas. When mixed with black, it appears as various shades of brown and ochre (p. 105). In mural paintings, it is used for dark red drapery. The author notes that it was likely imported as no cinnabar mines are documented in Ethiopia (p. 105).
Evidence
"All samples of the red pictorial layer are mercury sulphide (HgS), which comes from cinnabar or vermilion."
Remarks
Used for both manuscript illumination and mural paintings. The rubricated names in the 'Miracles of Mary' are written in this pigment (p. 105). The author notes iconographic similarities between the Ethiopian First Gondarine style and Moghul Indian wall paintings which also utilized vermilion (p. 105).
Scientific Analysis
Chemical CompositionHgS
Analytical Techniques
Raman microspectrometry
Certainty Level
Confirmed
Instrumentally Verified
Verified
Metadata
Material Type
pigment
ColorBrown
RegionEthiopia
Approx. Year1650
Source Information
AuthorWion, A.
CollectionMS B.N. Eth. Abb. 114 and Abbä Antonios mural paintings
Language
N/A
AI Suggestions
Find similar recipes based on ingredients and preparation methods.