To Make a Fine Varnish

[ To Make a Fine Varnish ] Handley Chipman

Contributors
Contributor Role
Author
Contributor Name
Handley Chipman

Date: Written sometime in 1776. | 1776/01/01 to 1776/12/31

Publication Format
Manuscript

Type
Construction

Ingredients
lye of potash
tartar
alum
cochineal

Places
Nova Scotia

Source: Handley Chipman's Notes, Vol. 2
Institution: Nova Scotia Archives | Source Origin: Chipman Family Papers | Reference: MG Vol. 218 / Microfilm Reel 10,154

Description

Detailed instructions for making a red varnish. No. 241, p. 140.


Images
Transcription

To make a fine Varnish, take clea[r]
Lye of Pot Ash, or tartar, add to it a very small
Quantity of a Selution of Alum, put the Lye into
a very fine, glass Vessel, take Some Powdered Cochi:
:neal carefully sewed up in a bag of Linen, which st[ir]
about in the Lye, till no colour remains in it, that
which is first Extracted is best, and may be kept in a
Seperate Glass, when the Colour is all Extracted, take
Some very clear Alum water and pour on the Lye, til the
whole is Curdled, it must then be filtred & the varnish purified

Annotations
A red dye derived from insects of the same name.