Armenian bole, also known as bolus armenus or bole armoniac, is an earthy
clay, usually red, native to
Armenia but also found in other places. The term Armenian was later referred to a specific quality of the clay. Originally used in medication, it has also been used as a pigment, as a poliment or base for gilding, and for other uses.[1] It is red due to the presence of
iron oxide; the clay also contains hydrous
silicates of
aluminum and possibly
magnesium.
Uses
The distinctive flame red is a striking feature of the mature style of Iznik pottery. It comes from an iron-rich red earth, or bole, found in Armenia.
Historically, the term bolu or bolus was used only for medicinal earths and Armenian bole was used as an
astringent, prescribed against
diarrhea,
dysentery, and
bleeding.[2] References to Armenian bole were made by
Theophrastus,
Dioscorides (c. 41–90 AD) and
Pliny the Elder (23–79 AD).[3] Externally, it was used in strengthening plasters, against dislocations of the joints. Physicians sometimes also called it Rubrica Synopica, from the city of
Synope, where it is supposed to be found. Use for internal medicine may have side effects as the minerals often include heavy metals such as arsenic, cadmium, lead and zinc that can cause toxicity.[4]
In the nineteenth century, it was incorporated into non-soluble
tooth powder. These types of powders would get stuck between the gums and the teeth and leave an unsightly discoloration. As a result, they were coloured red using Armenian bole to disguise the buildup around the teeth.[5]
It is also used in
bookbinding for coloring, or applied to the edges during
gilding, as a base for the gold leaf and to give the binding a greater depth and luster.[6][1] In pottery, it is used as a red pigment for the
İznik pottery of Turkey.[7] Finally, it has also been used in the waterproofing of
windmill sails. A popular mixture was: 10 liters of water, combined with 0.75 liter linseed oil, 0.75 liter grease, and 1 kg of bolus.[8][9]
See also
Levant bole, a similar clay, often used in place of Armenian bole
References
^
abGreenfield, Jane (2002). ABC of bookbinding: a unique glossary with over 700 illustrations for collectors and librarians. New Castle (Del.) Nottingham (GB): Oak Knoll press The Plough press. p. 5.
ISBN978-1-884718-41-0.
^Gomes, Celso de Sousa Figueiredo (2018). "Healing and edible clays: a review of basic concepts, benefits and risks". Environmental Geochemistry and Health. 40 (5): 1739–1765.
doi:
10.1007/s10653-016-9903-4.
ISSN0269-4042.
PMID28150053.
^Foulk, Martha E.; Pickering, Elizabeth (1935). "A History of Dentrifices". Journal of the American Pharmaceutical Association. 24 (11): 975.
^Barata, C.; Rocha, F.; Cruz, A.J.; Andrejkovičová, S.; Reguer, S. (2015). "Synchrotron X-ray diffraction of bole layers from Portuguese gilded baroque retables". Applied Clay Science. 116–117: 39–45.
doi:
10.1016/j.clay.2015.08.012.
^Hradil, David; Hradilová, Janka; Bezdička, Petr; Serendan, Cristina (2017). "Late Gothic/early Renaissance gilding technology and the traditional poliment material "Armenian bole": Truly red clay, or rather bauxite?". Applied Clay Science. 135: 271–281.
doi:
10.1016/j.clay.2016.10.004.
^Werken met molens by Werkgroep West-Vlaamse Molens v.z.w.