mosaic gold (aurum musicum / purpurinus)

Ingredients

tin, sulfur, mercury

Preparation Steps

Original Recipe Text

Synthesized chemically by combining tin and sulfur with mercury; roasted at high heat until mercury sublimates (p. 103).

Evidence

"mosaic gold, contains no true gold: the pigment was synthesized chemically by combining tin and sulfur with mercury roasted at high heat; the mercury sublimates, leaving behind a chunky and sparkling golden-yellow compound, tin disulfide (SnS2)"

Remarks

Sample from Initial B, Diurnal (83.ML.110). Mosaic gold was a desirable alternative to true gold in the 14th and 15th centuries. Unlike gold paint, it consists of chunky, sparkling crystals and was often not burnished (p. 103-104).