History of Technology in India, Vol. I: From Antiquity to c. 1200 A.D. v1.c20.s3.t3.13

v1.c20.s3.t3.13

Colours can also be produced from metals in the form of very thin and fine sheets or a liquid. These metals are gold (kanaka), silver (rajata) and copper (tāmra). Metal colours are to be laid in delicately thin sheets or by liquefying them by chemical methods. Hide glue and bakula resin glue act to fix and strengthen the colour for which vermilion juice is also added. Juice of durva grass, bark resin, glue of elephant hides etc. fix and strengthen the colour of the pigments and these cannot be destroyed even when washed.