indigo with red lead

Iran
15th Century
Source: Dissertation on 15th-century Persian manuscripts and color materials.
Recipe Details

Ingredients

indigo, red lead

Preparation Steps

The pigment mixture found in the background decoration of manuscript AKM 4 (folio 47) consists of indigo combined with red lead. Although it appears light grey, it is hypothesized that the original color was intended to be purple (indigo + red lead) but altered due to chemical changes (p. 315).

Original Recipe Text

The pigment mixture found in the background decoration of manuscript AKM 4 (folio 47) consists of indigo combined with red lead. Although it appears light grey, it is hypothesized that the original color was intended to be purple (indigo + red lead) but altered due to chemical changes (p. 315).

Evidence

"the light grey colour used to paint the background decoration of manuscript AKM 4 (folio 47) is a combination of indigo with red lead, which is not a common colour combination to create a grey colour. this coloured spot may have actually been purple (indigo + red lead), which red lead pigment of colour mixture probably has been corroded and became black."

Remarks

The researcher notes that red lead pigment within this mixture likely corroded over time, causing the original purple hue to shift towards a black or grey appearance (p. 315). This demonstrates the instability of red lead when mixed in certain environments.

Scientific Analysis
Chemical CompositionPb3O4 (red lead component)
Analytical Techniques
FORS
XRF
Certainty Level
Probable
Instrumentally Verified
Verified
Metadata
Material Type
pigment
ColorGrey
RegionIran
Approx. Year1450
Source Information
AuthorDissertation on 15th-century Persian manuscripts and color materials.
Collectionmanuscript AKM 4 (folio 47)
Language
N/A
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