Jain Miniature Paintings from Western India c9.s3.24

c9.s3.24

The following method of preparing lac-dye is given by Muni Punyavijayaji²⁴:— Pure water should be made to boil at a high temperature. In this bubbling hot water, the powder of lac-resin should be gradually mixed. The water should be stirred all the time to prevent the solidification of the resin. After this, the temperature of the water should be raised, and at the interval of every ten minutes the powders of the lode and borax should be thrown in. To ascertain whether the colour was ready, a simple experiment is suggested. Dipping the pen in the solution, a few lines should be drawn on the hand made paper. If the ink does not split, then the colour is ready. The concoction is then taken down from the fire, and, after the water has dried up, the residue is used as colour.