Peacock ink: Investigation into the constituents of the most prized ink of persia

Abstract

Peacock ink, known as Murakkabi vūsī, was created and used by Persian master calligraphers especially from the 14th century onwards. It is a sub-category of Persian ink which contains four main ingredients: lamp black, gum Arabic, green vitriol (ferrous sulphate) and gall nut extract (tannic acid). It is differentiated from other inks in that it contains many additional secondary ingredients which will be covered in this paper. Peacock ink derives its name from the range of different coloured materials added to the ink as well as the blue-green undertone this predominantly black ink is said to have. It is reputed to be a high-quality product, rumoured to stay on paper for centuries and is no..