Tyrian purple: Difference between revisions
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'''Tyrian |
'''Tyrian Purple''' (also known as '''Imperial Purple''') is a deep [[red]] [[colour]] resulting from a [[dye]] extracted from the ''Murex'', a marine snail ''Haustellum brandaris''. [[Pliny the Elder]] describes the production process in the [[1st century]] [[AD]]. It was used by the Phoenicians, highly prized by the [[Roman]]s, and was used to a lesser extent in the [[Middle Ages]]. It is thought to be the dye used in [[ancient]] times to make ''tzitzit'', [[Jew]]ish prayer shawls. Only [[king]]s, [[noblemen]], high-ranking [[church]] officials and [[judge]]s were able to afford this rare and expensive luxury, and in the [[Roman Empire|Roman Republic]], there were strict [[regulation]]s, based on the wearer's [[rank]] and status, on how much of this purple an article of [[clothing]] could contain. Restrictions tightened when the [[emperor]] came to rule, as emperors were distinguished by wearing ''togae purpurae'', purple [[toga]]s; hence the phrase "to don the purple" for the assumption of imperial dignity. |
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As the [[Roman Empire]] weakened, and other dyes such as lichen purple and madder became more widely available and less expensive, the use of Tyrian purple declined. It ceased as an industry in 1453 with the conquer of [[Constantinople]] by the [[Ottoman]] [[Turk]]s (1). Throughout the [[Renaissance]], the dye became even more uncommon. The so-called “[[Cardinal]]'s Purple,” was really the first luxury dye of the Renaissance - scarlet extracted from the kermes insect. |
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The [[SCA]] places no restrictions on wearing or using the colour purple in its [[garb]] or [[heraldry]]. |
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Tyranian [[purple]] is extracted from the ''murex'', and marine snail. Pliny the Elder describes the production process in the 1st century AD. |
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[[category:dyes]] |
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Latest revision as of 10:26, 27 August 2008
Tyrian Purple (also known as Imperial Purple) is a deep red colour resulting from a dye extracted from the Murex, a marine snail Haustellum brandaris. Pliny the Elder describes the production process in the 1st century AD. It was used by the Phoenicians, highly prized by the Romans, and was used to a lesser extent in the Middle Ages. It is thought to be the dye used in ancient times to make tzitzit, Jewish prayer shawls. Only kings, noblemen, high-ranking church officials and judges were able to afford this rare and expensive luxury, and in the Roman Republic, there were strict regulations, based on the wearer's rank and status, on how much of this purple an article of clothing could contain. Restrictions tightened when the emperor came to rule, as emperors were distinguished by wearing togae purpurae, purple togas; hence the phrase "to don the purple" for the assumption of imperial dignity.
As the Roman Empire weakened, and other dyes such as lichen purple and madder became more widely available and less expensive, the use of Tyrian purple declined. It ceased as an industry in 1453 with the conquer of Constantinople by the Ottoman Turks (1). Throughout the Renaissance, the dye became even more uncommon. The so-called “Cardinal's Purple,” was really the first luxury dye of the Renaissance - scarlet extracted from the kermes insect.
The SCA places no restrictions on wearing or using the colour purple in its garb or heraldry.
