Argol

Description

The sediment obtained from wine. Argol is composed of potassium bitartrate with about 6-12% calcium tartrate. Its color, either reddish brown or whitish, is due to the color of the grapes. Argol crystallizes out from wine when it is refrigerated and also collects on the edges of the vessel as the wine evaporates. It was used as a mordant in textile dyeing. In the 16th and 17th century, argol was used in combination with alum and salt as a solder flux.

Synonyms and Related Terms

argal; lees of wine; lees; tartar; cream of tartar

Other Properties

Soluble in water, ethanol.

Authority

• G.S.Brady, Materials Handbook, McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York, 1971 Comment: p. 283

• Random House, Webster's Encyclopedic Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language, Grammercy Book, New York, 1997

• The American Heritage Dictionary or Encarta, via Microsoft Bookshelf 98, Microsoft Corp., 1998

• Susan E. Schur, Conservation Terminology: A review of Past & Current Nomenclature of Materials, Technology and Conservation, Spring (p.34-39); Summer (p.35-38); Fall (p.25-36), 1985

• John and Margaret Cannon, Dye Plants and Dyeing, Herbert Press, London, 1994