Vol. 3, No. 10 The Leyden Papyrus X
1157
44. Testing of Silver.
Heat
the silver or melt it, as with gold; and if it remains white (and)
brilliant, it is pure and not false; if it appears black, it contains
some lead; if it appears hard and yellow, it contains some copper.
45. Writing in Letters of Gold.
To write in letters of gold. Write what you desire with goldsmith's solder and vinegar.
46. Cleaning of Copper Objects.
Having boiled some beets, carefully clean the objects of copper and silver with the juice. The beets are boiled in water.
47. Copper Equal to Gold.
Copper
equal to gold in color, as follows: grind some cumin in water; let it
set carefully during three days; on the fourth, having wet (it)
abundantly, coat the copper (with it) and write whatever you wish. For
the coating and the writing have the same appearance.
48. Cleaning of Silver Objects.
Clean with sheep's wool, after having dipped in sharp brine; then clean with sweet water and put into use.
49. Gilding of Silver.
For
gilding a vase of silver or copper without leaves (of gold), dissolve
some yellow natron and some salt in water, rub it with this and it will
be (gilded).
The
chemical nature of "yellow natron" is not known with certainty. From
certain passages in Pliny and other writers it would appear that this
was a sodium sulfide made by fusing sulfur and native sodium carbonate
together. In this case the metal would not be gilded but would at least
be colored by the above recipe.
50. Writing in Letters of Gold.
Grind arsenic with gum, then with some well water; in the third place, write.
The word arsenic in this recipe refers to the native yellow arsenic sulfide.
51. Gilding of Silver.
Grind misy with sandarach and cinnabar and rub the object with it.
53. Writing in Letters of Gold.
After having dried the gold leaves, grind with gum and write.
54. Preparation of Liquid Gold.
Place some leaves of gold in a mortar, grind them with some mercury and it is done.
55. Coloration in Gold.
How
one should prepare gilded silver. Mix some cinnabar with alum, pour
some white vinegar upon this, and having brought it all to the
consistency of wax, press out several times and let it stand over night.
56. Preparation of Gold.
Asem, 1 stater, or Copper of Cyprus, 3; 4 staters of gold; melt together.
