iron gall (iron gallotannate) possibly mixed with carbon
Britain
8th Century
Source: Brown, K. L., & Clark, R. J. H. (2004). The Lindisfarne Gospels and two other 8th century Anglo-Saxon/Insular manuscripts: pigment identification by Raman microscopy. Journal of Raman Spectroscopy, 35(1), 4-12.
Recipe Details
Ingredients
iron gallotannate, carbon
Preparation Steps
The ink is described as being made to an exceptionally stable recipe (p. 9). It contains iron gall (iron gallotannate) and is occasionally supplemented with small amounts of carbon to achieve its characteristic dark and consistent depth of color (p. 9).
Original Recipe Text
The ink is described as being made to an exceptionally stable recipe (p. 9). It contains iron gall (iron gallotannate) and is occasionally supplemented with small amounts of carbon to achieve its characteristic dark and consistent depth of color (p. 9).
Evidence
"The black ink, which is extremely dark and consistent in its depth of colour, is most likely to be an iron gall (iron gallotannate) possibly mixed with carbon."
Remarks
The ink used by the artist-scribe on the Lindisfarne Gospels has neither faded nor eroded the parchment substrate, which is noted as a sign of an exceptionally stable recipe (p. 9). Raman indications of carbon were specifically found in area 19 of f. 93v, area 56 of f. 138v, and area 43 of f. 139 (p. 9).
Scientific Analysis
Analytical Techniques
Raman microscopy
Certainty Level
Confirmed
Instrumentally Verified
Verified
Metadata
Material Type
ink
ColorBlack
RegionBritain
Approx. Year750
Source Information
AuthorBrown, K. L., & Clark, R. J. H.
CollectionCotton MS Nero D iv (The Lindisfarne Gospels)
Language
N/A
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