Jain Miniature Paintings from Western India c9.s3.10

c9.s3.10

Vermilion or crude cinnabar (*hingola*). This mineral when ground yields a bright red. The following traditional method is used in its preparation. The crude cinnabar is thoroughly levigated in a mortar with the help of sugared water or lime-juice which is a better substitute. Then the cinnabar is allowed to settle and the yellowish water is carefully drained off. The process is repeated fifteen times, or even more, to obtain purest cinnabar. It is again levigated with sugared water or lime-juice and gum, and, after being thoroughly mixed, it is formed into tablets and dried.¹⁷