qalqadĩs (vitriol)
Arabia
13th Century
Source: Raggetti, L. (2016). Arabic Ink Recipes in Their Historical and Literary Context. Journal of Islamic Manuscripts, 7, 294–338.
Recipe Details
Ingredients
qalqadĩs (vitriol), dissolved asbestos, honey, gum arabic
Preparation Steps
One part of vitriol (qalqadĩs) is mixed with one part dissolved asbestos and three parts honey in a long-necked bottle. The opening is sealed with clay and the bottle is buried in manure for several days. After removal, it is purified by washing until it appears like pure gold. It is then diluted with gum arabic for writing (p. 317).
Original Recipe Text
One part of vitriol (qalqadĩs) is mixed with one part dissolved asbestos and three parts honey in a long-necked bottle. The opening is sealed with clay and the bottle is buried in manure for several days. After removal, it is purified by washing until it appears like pure gold. It is then diluted with gum arabic for writing (p. 317).
Evidence
"Take one part of qalqadĩs (vitriol), the same quantity of dissolved asbestos, and three parts of honey; mix them in a long-necked bottle, seal its opening with clay, and bury it in manure for some days."
Remarks
After writing, the material is burnished with a hematite (šādana) burnisher to achieve the metallic effect (p. 317). The term qalqadĩs is noted as a synonym for vitriol, often confused with qalqaᤠār (p. 317, note 48).
Scientific Analysis
Chemical CompositionFeSO4
Certainty Level
Inferred
Instrumentally Verified
Not Verified
Metadata
Material Type
pigment
BinderAcacia gum
ColorGold
RegionArabia
Approx. Year1250
Source Information
AuthorRaggetti, L.
CollectionUnknown
Language
N/A
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