In his dreadful crossing of the Alps, Hannibal Barkas removed a gigantic rock by breaking it with an ancient method: the same often used by alchemists. [Read more…] about A Very Ancient Method to Shatter Carbonate Rocks
Vinegar
Lancillotti: Glass and Oil according to Currus Thriumphalis. Part 2
The second part of Carlo Lancillotti’s commentary on Basilius Valentinus’ recipes on Antimony. Alchemy, ancient chemistry, and Spagyric mixed together to attentively discern. [Read more…] about Lancillotti: Glass and Oil according to Currus Thriumphalis. Part 2
Lancillotti: Glass and Oil according to Currus Thriumphalis. Part 1
The glass of Antimony and the Oil of it. Antimony as a fume. And an enigmatic Festina Lente. Carlo Lancillotti repeats the works in Basilius Currus Triumphalis. [Read more…] about Lancillotti: Glass and Oil according to Currus Thriumphalis. Part 1
Hollandus, How Urine Salts Extract a White and Red Dye
How a volatile urine salt can extract our White and Red Dye from minerals. By a not-perfect alchemist often mistrusted because of his candor: J. I. Hollandus. [Read more…] about Hollandus, How Urine Salts Extract a White and Red Dye
Hollandus, De Lapide Philosophico. First Book 3-4
Instead of distillations on liquids and oils extracted from plants, in chap three Johannes Isaac Hollandus has salts ground, dissolved in distilled vinegar, then raised up with subtle combustible spirits, [Read more…] about Hollandus, De Lapide Philosophico. First Book 3-4
Fioravanti & Metals Calcination
Leonardo Fioravanti in Capricci Medicinali shows how iatrochemistry and Alchemy do share some proceedings. Here he presents metal calcination methods. [Read more…] about Fioravanti & Metals Calcination
Hollandus, De Lapide Philosophico. First Book 2
Opera Mineralia, sive de Lapide Philosophico, by Johannes Isaac Hollandus, chapter two deals with actions involving silver cupeling. [Read more…] about Hollandus, De Lapide Philosophico. First Book 2
Hollandus, De Lapide Philosophico. First Book 1
Johannes Isaac Hollandus De Lapide Philosophico is composed of two treatises, but usually, only a summary of the second one is available on the web. [Read more…] about Hollandus, De Lapide Philosophico. First Book 1