الزئبق والكبريت

Ingredients

زئبق, كبريت, خل الخمر الجيد, برادة الحديد

Preparation Steps

Original Recipe Text

The formulation (p. 19) requires taking two parts of 'falafat' (likely an alchemical mineral) and one part iron filings (برادة الحديد). These are submerged in high-quality wine vinegar (الخل الخمر الجيد). Crucially, one-half part mercury (الزئبق) and one-quarter part sulfur (الكبريت) are added. The process describes a chemical reaction intended to produce a gold-like pigment or dye through the interaction of these metals and minerals in an acidic medium.

Evidence

"صفة خضاب ذهبي تأخذ من الزئبق نصف جزء ومن الكبريت ربع جزء... وصب عليهما من الخل الخمر الجيد"

Remarks

This is a synthetic gold substitute (Khidab) used for decorative writing or coloring objects to mimic the appearance of true gold without the cost of the precious metal (p. 19).