waxed lapis lazuli (al-lāzaward al-mushammaʿ)
Fustat
9th Century
Source: Journal of Qur’anic Studies
Recipe Details
Ingredients
lapis lazuli, wax
Preparation Steps
The background of the marble inscriptions at the Nilometer was coloured with waxed lapis lazuli (al-lāzaward al-mushammaʿ) to provide a strong contrast against gold letters, enhancing visibility from a distance (p. 101). The upper walls were engraved, carved, and painted in waxed lapis lazuli, with further engravings in gold and lapis lazuli (bi'l-dhahab wa'l-lāzaward) (p. 101-103).
Original Recipe Text
The background of the marble inscriptions at the Nilometer was coloured with waxed lapis lazuli (al-lāzaward al-mushammaʿ) to provide a strong contrast against gold letters, enhancing visibility from a distance (p. 101). The upper walls were engraved, carved, and painted in waxed lapis lazuli, with further engravings in gold and lapis lazuli (bi'l-dhahab wa'l-lāzaward) (p. 101-103).
Evidence
"the background coloured with waxed lapis lazuli (al-lāzaward al-mushammaʿ) so that they could be read from a distance … Modern observation of the surviving parts has indeed revealed small fragments of a dark blue ground"
Remarks
The use of lapis lazuli and gold was a prerogative of the ruling caliph (al-Mutawakkil) and served as a symbol of power and sacred pleading for Nile floods (p. 103).
Scientific Analysis
Analytical Techniques
fragmentary analysis
Modern observation
Certainty Level
Probable
Instrumentally Verified
Verified
Metadata
Material Type
pigment
Binderwax
Paper Typemarble
ColorBlue
RegionFustat
Approx. Year850
Source Information
AuthorJournal of Qur’anic Studies
CollectionNilometer on Rawḍa island (Fusṭāṭ)
Language
N/A
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