Vernix d'Ambre
London
17th Century
Source: Boulboullé, Jenny. "Drawn up by a learned physician from the mouths of artisans: The Mayerne manuscript revisited." 2020.
Recipe Details
Ingredients
Amber, Linseed oil, Gum Sandarac, turpentine, Spike oil, gomme Lacque
Preparation Steps
A detailed recipe for 'The True Amber Varnish' involves melting 3-4 pieces of amber at once over a fire of medium heat 'to smelt it without burning' (p. 215). One version (fol. 43r) specifies Linseed oil (6 oz), Amber (1 oz), gomme Sandarac, turpentine, and Spike oil (p. 218). Another variant suggests melting 'gomme Lacque' with melted amber (p. 215).
Original Recipe Text
A detailed recipe for 'The True Amber Varnish' involves melting 3-4 pieces of amber at once over a fire of medium heat 'to smelt it without burning' (p. 215). One version (fol. 43r) specifies Linseed oil (6 oz), Amber (1 oz), gomme Sandarac, turpentine, and Spike oil (p. 218). Another variant suggests melting 'gomme Lacque' with melted amber (p. 215).
Evidence
"The heading of the true amber varnish recipe on fol. 43r is remarkable... titled it ‘The True Varnish of Amber as below, as it has been made in his presence & written down while it was made, by Joseph Petitot, who gave it to me’."
Remarks
The term 'ambra' was introduced to Europe via the Arabic translation movement (p. 222). Mayerne's methodologies drew on traditions extending to Arabic manuscript transmission of knowledge (p. 221).
Scientific Analysis
Certainty Level
Confirmed
Instrumentally Verified
Not Verified
Metadata
Material Type
ink
BinderDrying oil
Colortransparent
RegionLondon
Approx. Year1650
Source Information
AuthorBoulboullé, Jenny. "Drawn up by a learned physician from the mouths of artisans: The Mayerne manuscript revisited." 2020.
CollectionJoseph Petitot
Language
N/A
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