Dyeing of the leaves (صباغ الورق)
Egypt
13th Century
Source: Raggetti, L. (2023). Ordinary Inks and Incredible Tricks in the ʿUyūn al-ḥaqāʾiq. Brill.
Recipe Details
Ingredients
alum (mušabbab), logwood water (baqqam), saffron water, indigo flower water, thick Persian cane
Preparation Steps
The paper leaves are first soaked in water containing alum (mušabbab), which acts as a fixative/mordant. Then, a colorant (logwood, saffron, indigo, or other preferred water) is added. The dyed leaves are spread to dry in the shade on a thick Persian cane. Once dry, the paper is burnished to prepare it for writing (p. 177).
Original Recipe Text
The paper leaves are first soaked in water containing alum (mušabbab), which acts as a fixative/mordant. Then, a colorant (logwood, saffron, indigo, or other preferred water) is added. The dyed leaves are spread to dry in the shade on a thick Persian cane. Once dry, the paper is burnished to prepare it for writing (p. 177).
Evidence
"take the leaves you want, soak them in water with alum (mušabbab), throw logwood water, or saffron water or indigo flower water... spread [the leaves] in the shade on a thick Persian cane until they have dried"
Remarks
The term 'mušabbab' is noted as a technical neologism for a solution of alum in water (p. 177, note 22). The choice of drying in the shade on cane prevents damage and ensures even drying.
Scientific Analysis
Analytical Techniques
Philological analysis
Certainty Level
Inferred
Instrumentally Verified
Not Verified
Metadata
Material Type
paper
Paper TypeDyeing of the leaves (صباغ الورق)
ColorBlue
RegionEgypt
Approx. Year1250
Source Information
AuthorRaggetti, L.
CollectionKitāb ʿuyūn al-ḥaqāʾiq
Language
N/A
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