Persian black ink (Sample L1)

Ingredients

soot, gall, Arabic gum, white alum

Preparation Steps

Original Recipe Text

The ink was prepared according to the common instruction: "soot is as much as the alum, gall is as much as both, gum is as much as the three and, then, the power of elbows works" (p. 1). In this specific sample (L1), the alum component used was white alum (Aluminum sulfate: Al2(SO4)3) (p. 2).

Evidence

"the white alum (Al2(SO4)3) in making sample L1... the quality on ink taking and ink putting of sample L1 with white alum was better than sample L2 with green alum, but it had less elasticity. And, the darkness of sample L1 was purer than sample L2."

Remarks

Sample L1 demonstrated a purer black color and superior ink-taking and ink-putting characteristics on the page compared to the iron-based sample. However, it was noted to have less elasticity. In writing Shamarehs and Ersals, this first sample was higher in quality than the second sample (p. 2). The ink is categorized as a compound or mixed ink, combining elements of carbon ink and iron-gall ink (p. 2).