Copaiba Balsam comes from South American tree Copaifera landsdorfii. It is highly viscous, with a characteristic fruity odor (it has a high content of essential oil). It is also mentioned in some late 18th-early 19th century texts as a medium to protect Verdigris from darkening or changing color in oil, as well as in recipes to prepare a paint vehicle for Asphaltum. Doerner mentions its use by restorers, notably in the “Pettenkofer Treatment” for dried-out, brittle paint films to increase their refractive index and improve their appearance. (The sticky film can, however, collect dust, and the varnish would remain susceptible to solvents).
