lead white and saffron
Arabia
15th Century
Source: Lucia Raggetti (2024) Stolen Horses and Scented Garments: Vegetal and Mineral Yellow in Arabic Technical Literature, Ambix, 71:1, 35-72
Recipe Details
Ingredients
lead white, saffron
Preparation Steps
This is described as a compound pigment intended to imitate orpiment when the mineral is unavailable (p. 40). It is prepared by grinding lead white and mixing it with saffron until the desired shade of yellow is achieved (p. 52). Experimental reconstructions utilized proportions ranging from 1:1 to 1:3 to identify the best imitation of primary orpiment yellow (p. 40).
Original Recipe Text
This is described as a compound pigment intended to imitate orpiment when the mineral is unavailable (p. 40). It is prepared by grinding lead white and mixing it with saffron until the desired shade of yellow is achieved (p. 52). Experimental reconstructions utilized proportions ranging from 1:1 to 1:3 to identify the best imitation of primary orpiment yellow (p. 40).
Evidence
"yellow may also be produced without orpiment, if this is unavailable: grind lead white and throw saffron in it until the colour pleases you."
Remarks
The study found that this compound pigment is prone to rapid fading, even when not exposed to light, due to the deterioration of the organic saffron component (p. 40). This illustrates a material problem of durability noted in the technical literature.
Scientific Analysis
Analytical Techniques
experimental reconstruction
Certainty Level
Confirmed
Instrumentally Verified
Verified
Metadata
Material Type
pigment
Binderwater
ColorYellow
RegionArabia
Approx. Year1450
Source Information
AuthorLucia Raggetti
CollectionKitāb al-nuǧūm al-šāriqāt
Language
N/A
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