Origin
Historically traded from Badakhshan; modern pigments may be synthetic.
Properties
- Intense blue
- Stable to light
- Costly when natural
Preparation
Grind and purify the stone, then bind with gum.
Care & preservation
Keep painted pages away from moisture and rubbing.
General guidance only. For valuable or fragile pieces, consult a qualified conservator before cleaning or treatment.
Used in these crafts
Illumination (Tazhib)
The decoration of manuscript pages and album leaves with gold and coloured pigments in geometric and floral designs framing text or painting.
Persian miniature
The Iranian tradition of small-scale painting made for manuscripts and albums, built from fine line, flat luminous colour and layered spatial convention rather than single-point perspective.