coloured metallic inks (liyaq)
Iraq
13th Century
Source: Raggetti, L. (2021). Ordinary Inks and Incredible Tricks in al-Irāqī’s ʿUyūn al-ḥaqāʾiq. (p. 154-165).
Recipe Details
Ingredients
white gum arabic, water, melted sandarac
Preparation Steps
To prepare the binder for metallic inks: Take a preferred quantity of white gum arabic chips, crush them finely, and soak them in pure water in a glass vessel. Add three parts of water for each part of gum. Close the vessel and hang it in the sun for a full day. Afterward, shake the vessel until the components blend and agitate it until it settles. This solution is used to fix the metallic pigments. Once the writing has dried, melted sandarac is applied over it (p. 164-165).
Original Recipe Text
To prepare the binder for metallic inks: Take a preferred quantity of white gum arabic chips, crush them finely, and soak them in pure water in a glass vessel. Add three parts of water for each part of gum. Close the vessel and hang it in the sun for a full day. Afterward, shake the vessel until the components blend and agitate it until it settles. This solution is used to fix the metallic pigments. Once the writing has dried, melted sandarac is applied over it (p. 164-165).
Evidence
"The title of Ch. 23 mentions metallic inks and dyes (al-liyaq wa-l-aṣbāġ) but also includes instructions for preparing paints (dihān or adhān) from the same mixtures meant for inks (p. 162, note 15)."
Remarks
The term 'liyaq' refers to metallic inks and also to the wad of silk/cotton used in the inkwell. The recipe is attributed to 'The Wise' in al-Irāqī's treatise (p. 163-164).
Scientific Analysis
Analytical Techniques
textual replication
Certainty Level
Inferred
Instrumentally Verified
Not Verified
Metadata
Material Type
ink
BinderAcacia gum
RegionIraq
Approx. Year1250
Source Information
AuthorRaggetti, L.
CollectionMS Princeton Garrett 544H
Language
N/A
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