The Leyden and Stockholm Papyri - University of Cincinnati

79. Writing in Letters of Silver
To write in letters of silver. Litharge, 4 staters; dilute with the dung
of a pigeon and some vinegar; write with a stylus passed through
the fire.
80. Coloring of Asem
Cinnabar, Cimolian earth (and) liquid alum, equal parts; mix with
sea water, heat and dampen several times.
81. Coloration in Silver
Such that it can only be removed by fire. Chrysocolla, ceruse, earth
of Chios and mercury ground together; add some honey and
having first treated the vessel with natron, coat (the vessel) with it.
“Ceruse” or “cerussa” was the ancient term for white lead, which
was well-known and widely employed as a cosmetic by the Greeks
and Romans.
82. Hardening of Tin
Melt it, add to it a homogeneous mixture of lamellose alum and
copperas; pulverize and sprinkle (over the metal) and it will be
hard.
83. Manufacture of Asem
THE LEYDEN PAPYRUS X
Good tin, 1 mina; dry pitch, 13 staters; bitumin, 8 staters; melt in a
vessel of baked earth luted around (the top); after having cooled,
mix 10 staters of copper in round grains and 3 staters of asem first
(and then) 12 staters of broken stone of Magenesia. Melt and make
what you wish.
84. Manufacture of Egyptian Asem
Recipe of Phimenas (or Pammenes). Take some soft copper of
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