Issue 6, 2004

The natural constituents of historical textile dyes

Abstract

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.

Graphical abstract: The natural constituents of historical textile dyes

Article information

Article type
Tutorial Review
Submitted
05 Feb 2004
First published
05 Jul 2004

Chem. Soc. Rev., 2004,33, 329-336

The natural constituents of historical textile dyes

E. S. B. Ferreira, A. N. Hulme, H. McNab and A. Quye, Chem. Soc. Rev., 2004, 33, 329 DOI: 10.1039/B305697J

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