Difference between revisions of "Zanzibar copal"

From CAMEO
Jump to navigation Jump to search
(username removed)
 
 
(4 intermediate revisions by 2 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
 
== Description ==
 
== Description ==
  
A hard variety of [http://cameo.mfa.org/materials/fullrecord.asp?name=copal copal] resin found as semi-fossilized specimens on the ground or as exudations on living trees (species ''Trachylobium'' such as ''T. verruscosum'' and ''T. mossambinecense)'', found on the island of Zanzibar and areas of nearby African mainland. The most valued pieces are fossilized specimens from trees that are no longer living. Zanzibar copal is a very hard, smooth and shiny resin that is used to make a dark oil varnish. Some specimens of Zanzibar copal are misrepresented as amber.
+
A hard variety of [[copal|copal]] resin found as semi-fossilized specimens on the ground or as exudations on living trees (species ''Trachylobium'' such as ''T. verruscosum'' and ''T. mossambinecense)'', found on the island of Zanzibar and areas of nearby African mainland. The most valued pieces are fossilized specimens from trees that are no longer living. Zanzibar copal is a very hard, smooth and shiny resin that is used to make a dark oil varnish. Some specimens of Zanzibar copal are misrepresented as amber.
  
 
== Synonyms and Related Terms ==
 
== Synonyms and Related Terms ==
Line 7: Line 7:
 
"''Trachylobium verruscosum''; copal de Zanzibar (Esp., Fr.); coplae di zanzibar (It); copale indiana (It); Zanzibar gum; East African copal; gum anime
 
"''Trachylobium verruscosum''; copal de Zanzibar (Esp., Fr.); coplae di zanzibar (It); copale indiana (It); Zanzibar gum; East African copal; gum anime
  
[[[SliderGallery rightalign|MFA- Zanzibar Copal.jpg~FTIR]]]
+
[[[SliderGallery rightalign|Zanzibar Copal, Gettens 100.A04 (slope corrected).TIF~FTIR (MFA)]]]
  
== Other Properties ==
+
== Risks ==
  
Insoluble in most solvents, but a drop of ether may make the surface sticky.  Once metled, the resin can be combined with oil or turpentine.  Hardest of all copals. Fluoresces white under short-wave ultraviolet light.
+
* Combustible, burning with a white/yellow flame and dense smoke.
 +
 
 +
== Physical and Chemical Properties ==
 +
 
 +
* Insoluble in most solvents, but a drop of ether may make the surface sticky.   
 +
* Once melted, the resin can be combined with oil or turpentine.   
 +
* Hardest of all copals.  
 +
* Fluoresces white under short-wave ultraviolet light.
  
 
{| class="wikitable"
 
{| class="wikitable"
 
|-
 
|-
 
! scope="row"| Melting Point
 
! scope="row"| Melting Point
| 240-360
+
| 240-360 C
 
|-
 
|-
 
! scope="row"| Density
 
! scope="row"| Density
| 1.062-1.068
+
| 1.062-1.068 g/ml
 
|}
 
|}
  
== Hazards and Safety ==
+
==Resources and Citations==
 
 
Combustible, burning with a white/yellow flame and dense smoke.
 
 
 
== Additional Information ==
 
 
 
"Copal of Zanzibar" [http://www.carrieagemuseumlibrary.org/copal_zanzibar.htm www.carrieagemuseumlibrary.org/copal_zanzibar.htm] from original publication in New York Coach-Maker's Magazine, August 1870.
 
  
== Authority ==
+
* "Copal of Zanzibar" [http://www.carrieagemuseumlibrary.org/copal_zanzibar.htm www.carrieagemuseumlibrary.org/copal_zanzibar.htm] from original publication in New York Coach-Maker's Magazine, August 1870.
  
 
* R. J. Gettens, G.L. Stout, ''Painting Materials, A Short Encyclopaedia'', Dover Publications, New York, 1966
 
* R. J. Gettens, G.L. Stout, ''Painting Materials, A Short Encyclopaedia'', Dover Publications, New York, 1966
Line 36: Line 37:
 
* G.S.Brady, ''Materials Handbook'', McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York, 1971  Comment: p. 227
 
* G.S.Brady, ''Materials Handbook'', McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York, 1971  Comment: p. 227
  
* ''Encyclopedia Britannica'', http://www.britannica.com  Comment: "Copal." Encyclopædia Britannica. 2004.  5 Jan. 2004 . - gives source of Zanzibar copal as Trachylobium verruscosum
+
* ''Encyclopedia Britannica'', http://www.britannica.com  Comment: "Copal." Accessed 5 Jan. 2004 - gives source of Zanzibar copal as Trachylobium verruscosum
  
 
* Art and Architecture Thesaurus Online, http://www.getty.edu/research/tools/vocabulary/aat/, J. Paul Getty Trust, Los Angeles, 2000
 
* Art and Architecture Thesaurus Online, http://www.getty.edu/research/tools/vocabulary/aat/, J. Paul Getty Trust, Los Angeles, 2000
  
* Website address 1  Comment: "Copal: An Immature and Controversial Resin" at www.emporia.edu/earthsci/ambe/copal.htm - gives source of Zanzibar copal as Trachylobium verruscasum (formerly called Hymenaea verrucosa)
+
* Website: "Copal: An Immature and Controversial Resin" at www.emporia.edu/earthsci/ambe/copal.htm - gives source of Zanzibar copal as Trachylobium verruscasum (formerly called Hymenaea verrucosa)
  
* Website address 2  Comment: "Varnish Glossary" at www.violins.on.ca/luthier/vargloss.html - gives synonyms as gum anime and East African copal
+
* "Varnish Glossary" at www.violins.on.ca/luthier/vargloss.html - gives synonyms as gum anime and East African copal
  
  
  
 
[[Category:Materials database]]
 
[[Category:Materials database]]

Latest revision as of 10:28, 6 June 2022

Description

A hard variety of Copal resin found as semi-fossilized specimens on the ground or as exudations on living trees (species Trachylobium such as T. verruscosum and T. mossambinecense), found on the island of Zanzibar and areas of nearby African mainland. The most valued pieces are fossilized specimens from trees that are no longer living. Zanzibar copal is a very hard, smooth and shiny resin that is used to make a dark oil varnish. Some specimens of Zanzibar copal are misrepresented as amber.

Synonyms and Related Terms

"Trachylobium verruscosum; copal de Zanzibar (Esp., Fr.); coplae di zanzibar (It); copale indiana (It); Zanzibar gum; East African copal; gum anime

FTIR (MFA)

Zanzibar Copal, Gettens 100.A04 (slope corrected).TIF


Risks

  • Combustible, burning with a white/yellow flame and dense smoke.

Physical and Chemical Properties

  • Insoluble in most solvents, but a drop of ether may make the surface sticky.
  • Once melted, the resin can be combined with oil or turpentine.
  • Hardest of all copals.
  • Fluoresces white under short-wave ultraviolet light.
Melting Point 240-360 C
Density 1.062-1.068 g/ml

Resources and Citations

  • R. J. Gettens, G.L. Stout, Painting Materials, A Short Encyclopaedia, Dover Publications, New York, 1966
  • G.S.Brady, Materials Handbook, McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York, 1971 Comment: p. 227
  • Encyclopedia Britannica, http://www.britannica.com Comment: "Copal." Accessed 5 Jan. 2004 - gives source of Zanzibar copal as Trachylobium verruscosum
  • Website: "Copal: An Immature and Controversial Resin" at www.emporia.edu/earthsci/ambe/copal.htm - gives source of Zanzibar copal as Trachylobium verruscasum (formerly called Hymenaea verrucosa)
  • "Varnish Glossary" at www.violins.on.ca/luthier/vargloss.html - gives synonyms as gum anime and East African copal