The natural constituents of historical textile dyes.
The sources and structures of dyes used to colour Western historical textiles are described in this tutorial review. Most blue and purple colours were derived from indigo--obtained either from woad or from the indigo plant--though some other sources (e.g. shellfish and lichens) were used. Reds were often anthraquinone derivatives obtained from plants or insects. Yellows were almost always flavonoid derivatives obtained from a variety of plant species. Most other colours were produced by over-dyeing--e.g. greens were obtained by over-dyeing a blue with a yellow dye. Direct analysis of dyes isolated from artefacts allows comparison with the historical record.
School of Chemistry, The University of Edinburgh, West Mains Road, Edinburgh, UK EH9 3JJ.
Ester S B
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Ferreira
Alison N
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Hulme
Hamish
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McNab
Anita
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Quye
D000818:Animals; D001685:Biological Factors / Q000737:chemistry*; D004396:Coloring Agents / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000145:classification; D007203:Indigo Carmine; D007211:Indoles / Q000737:chemistry; D015394:Molecular Structure; D010944:Plants / Q000737:chemistry*; D013784:Textiles
D001685:Biological Factors; D004396:Coloring Agents; D007211:Indoles; D007203:Indigo Carmine