Shifting sands of writing inks in Yemen. The occurrence of sparkling particles in Yemeni manuscripts

Regourd, A.; Scheper, C.H. (2018)

Article / Letter to editor

This article focuses on the analysis of glossy inks from a body of manuscripts from Yemen preserved in the University Library of Leiden, the phenomenon having been noted for the first time in Zabīd in the 2000s. Arab sources, including Yemeni, contain ink recipes in which the sparkling effect is sought after and obtained through the use of various ingredients. Laboratory analysis, meanwhile, reveals that the shiny effect results from particles (mica and sand, sometimes with a preparation based on red pigment) spread after the writing exercise. The use of these particles between functionality and aesthetics, which seems to be peculiar to Yemen, is at the center of the study and opens a new field of investigation.

• Yemen
• codicology
• inks
• manuscripts
• conservation

• All authors: Regourd, A.; Scheper, C.H.
• Date: 2018-07-31
• Journal: Chroniques du manuscrit au Yémen
• Volume: 7
• Issue: 26
• Pages: 141 - 183
• Link: http://www.cdmy.org/cmy/cmy26.pdf