الزرنيخ الاصفر (Gold imitation)

Ingredients

الزرنيخ الاصفر, بياض البيض, الزعفران, مرارة البرنيج

Preparation Steps

Original Recipe Text

The recipe (p. 14) involves taking a portion of yellow orpiment (Zirnikh al-Asfar) and grinding it thoroughly until it reaches a pulp-like consistency ('mithl al-dimagh'). This is then mixed with egg white (bayad al-bayd), a small amount of saffron (za'faran), and the bile of a 'Barnij' (gallbladder bile). Once applied to the surface, the result is described as appearing like 'Dhahab Ibriz' (pure refined gold).

Evidence

"فخذ من الزرنيخ الاصفر جزءاً اسحق الزرنيخ بالحق يصيد مثل الدماغ ما يتقا واسحق الجميع ببياض البيض وشيء من الزعفران ومرارة البرنيج ثم اطل به ما اردت ثم استعمله تراه ذهباً ابريزاً"

Remarks

This is a classic 'gold ink' recipe that does not use actual gold. The use of orpiment provides the metallic yellow hue, while saffron enhances the color and egg white serves as the proteinaceous binder. The addition of bile (marara) is often used in such recipes to improve the flow of the ink and reduce the surface tension on the paper or parchment (p. 14).