Armenian bole
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2008-02-06T16:56:23Z
Brian0918
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Reverted edits by [[Special:Contributions/131.109.99.2|131.109.99.2]] ([[User talk:131.109.99.2|talk]]) to last version by Artaxiad
[[Image:Armenianbolea.JPG|right|250px|thumb|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.]]
'''Armenian bole''', also known as '''bolus armenus''' or '''bole armoniac''', is an earthy [[clay]], usually red, native to [[Armenia]]. It is red due to the presence of [[iron oxide]]; the clay also contains hydrous [[silicate]]s of [[aluminum]] and possibly [[magnesium]]. Historically, it was used as an [[astringent]], prescribed against [[diarrhea]], [[dysentary]], [[hemorrhage]], etc. Externally, it was used in strengthening plasters, against dislocations of the joints. Physicians sometimes also called it ''Rubrica Synopica'', from the city of [[Sinop, Turkey|Synope]], where it is supposed to be found.
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.
==See also==
*[[Levant bole]], a similar clay, often used in place of Armenian bole
==References==
*{{1728}} [http://digicoll.library.wisc.edu/cgi-bin/HistSciTech/HistSciTech-idx?type=turn&entity=HistSciTech000900240184&isize=L&q1=132]
*{{cite web|url=http://palimpsest.stanford.edu/don/don.html|title=Armenian bole|work=Bookbinding and the Conservation of books: A Dictionary of Descriptive Terminology|accessdate=2006-01-22}}
[[Category:Natural materials]]