الزنجفر
Egypt
17th Century
Source: Jabir ibn Hayyan. Kitab al-Khawass al-Kabir. Manuscript copy, pp. 28-61.
Recipe Details
Ingredients
الزئبق, الكبريت
Preparation Steps
The text describes the synthesis of Zinjifr (Cinnabar) from elemental Mercury (الزئبق) and Sulfur (الكبريت). This occurs under the discussion of 'Red Sulfur' (الكبريت الاحمر), which is described as a rare substance that produces a 'wonderful sun' (color). The mercury and sulfur are combined through heating/sublimation to produce the red pigment (p. 60).
Original Recipe Text
The text describes the synthesis of Zinjifr (Cinnabar) from elemental Mercury (الزئبق) and Sulfur (الكبريت). This occurs under the discussion of 'Red Sulfur' (الكبريت الاحمر), which is described as a rare substance that produces a 'wonderful sun' (color). The mercury and sulfur are combined through heating/sublimation to produce the red pigment (p. 60).
Evidence
"الزنجفر الذي هو من الزئبق ومن الكبريت"
Remarks
Cinnabar (Zinjifr) was the primary red pigment in Islamic manuscripts. Jabir's text highlights the alchemical theory of mercury and sulfur as the base components of all metals and many pigments (p. 60).
Scientific Analysis
Chemical CompositionHgS
Certainty Level
Inferred
Instrumentally Verified
Not Verified
Metadata
Material Type
pigment
Binderالزئبق
Colorأحمر
RegionEgypt
Approx. Year1650
Source Information
AuthorJabir ibn Hayyan. Kitab al-Khawass al-Kabir. Manuscript copy, pp. 28-61.
CollectionUnknown
Language
N/A
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