lac dye used for small initials

Ingredients

lac dye, parchment glue, egg white

Preparation Steps

Original Recipe Text

Parchment glue was prepared by covering small pieces of parchment with water (c. 50 ml) and heating to c. 80°C (p. 91). Egg white (glair) was beaten and the liquid that formed at the bottom was used (p. 91). For initials, lac solutions were admixed with the binding media in a 50:50 weight% ratio (p. 91).

Evidence

"Lac dye has been identified in Portuguese medieval illuminations used both to paint small initials as well as for illuminations, which in general remain in good condition, despite occasional craquelure."

Remarks

The use of lac in initials is linked to its qualities of brightness and saturation (p. 90). The analysis of the ibn Bādġs manuscript (c. 1025) suggests that 'Lukk (lac) is mentioned several times, particularly for making inks' (p. 89).