Jain Miniature Paintings from Western India c9.s8.7

c9.s8.7

In the Mānasollāsa⁵⁰, a detailed description of how to prepare gold powder is given. It seems that the vīraṇa grass with sharp pointed tips mixed with gold-leaf was levigated slowly with the pestle on a stone slab. Then the powder was put in a bronze vessel mixed with water; it was washed several times till the sand and dust were completely eliminated. After this, this gold powder (*hemakalka*) was ready to be used mixed with the size (*vajralepa*) in very small quantities. While applying gold to a painting, only the tip of the brush was dipped in the colour and only golden ornaments were painted with it. When the gold had dried, it was burnished with a boar’s tusk in order to impart gloss to the colour.