In the days before modern science, alchemy was once regarded as a serious scientific and philosophical pursuit. Practitioners documented their experiments in books and manuscripts as they sought to change one thing into another and considered the very nature of matter.
Le Trésor des Trésors
Le Trésor des Trésors ('The Treasure of the Treasures') is an illustrated alchemical notebook c.1700 from the Science Museum Archives. An inscription on the front page describes it as a copy of a work by Nicolas Flamel, a legendary alchemist. 15th century records show there was a scribe named Nicolas Flamel who lived in Paris. Over time, stories of his life claimed he discovered the secret recipe for the philosopher’s stone.
The origins of alchemy
Alchemy is an ancient philosophy. It was practised in India, China and Europe. In the west, alchemy originally developed in Hellenistic Egypt. It was often associated with the Greek god Hermes. Alchemy spread to the Islamic world in the eighth century, where alchemists made significant chemical discoveries. In the 12th century, key Islamic texts were translated into Latin, fuelling its study and popularity in the rest of western Europe.
Written
in code
Alchemical recipes like this manuscript are not easy to understand. Alchemists recorded their experiments with codes and emblems. These images represented key ideas and instructions to those in the know, whilst hiding their secrets from the ignorant. Symbols and signs could indicate different types of ingredients, equipment and chemical procedures used to make the philosopher’s stone, as well as alchemical theories about how the world worked.
The philosopher's stone
Alchemists believed the philosopher’s stone could transform common metals like lead into silver or gold and could be used as an elixir of life for health and longevity. It was considered the most pure and perfect of all substances. Alchemical images often included pairs of animals or people uniting to become one. These represented the combining and refining of different ingredients into a new form—the philosopher’s stone.
Making
the recipe
Alchemists used all sorts of ingredients, from metals and minerals to organic substances such as blood, hair and urine. They created strong acids to dissolve their materials, then repeatedly heated their mixtures at different temperatures. As a result, alchemists discovered considerable information about different substances and their properties, in addition to developing laboratory techniques and equipment which were used in medicine and the early chemical industry.
Alchemical
processes
Alchemists often used birds to symbolise the different stages in the recipe. This pelican feeding her young with her own blood represented the ‘cibation’ process. At this point the ingredients were repeatedly dissolved into vapour and then condensed to make the mixture stronger. The fiery phoenix rising from the ashes denoted the triumphant final stage. The ingredients have been combined and purified into a new substance—the philosopher’s stone.
Alchemy
and the Science Museum Group
The Science Museum Group’s alchemy collection includes books, archives, equipment and a rare example of a Ripley scroll. Our alchemical paintings and sculpture show how contemporary society viewed the search for the philosopher’s stone. Alchemy was once studied by Isaac Newton and Robert Boyle, and written about by Shakespeare and Chaucer. The alchemy collection helps us understand the influence of alchemy in the history of our science and culture.
Explore the Le Trésor des Trésors in detail.
Discover more objects related to alchemy in our online collection.
All images © Science Museum Group except where stated.
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