2020 Essays

Eau Magistra: Investigating Binders for Sand Molds

Cataldo, Emogene; Visco, Julianna Van

Ms. Fr. 640 contains a large number of recipes for and reports about various mixtures of sands and binders in making sand molds. This essay examines and reconstructs the “Eau magistra” (fols. 84v and 87v) made from elm roots boiled in wine. Its efficacy in facilitating a fine impression in a sand mold and in receiving and withstanding the molten metals was then tested and compared to other binding agents found in Ms. Fr. 640. The meaning of “magistra” as a substance that can transform the state of materials is discussed.