The natural constituents of historical textile dyes

Ferreira, E. S. B., Hulme, A. N., McNab, H. and Quye, A. (2004) The natural constituents of historical textile dyes. Chemical Society Reviews, 33(6), pp. 329-336. (doi: 10.1039/B305697J) (PMID:15280965)

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.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Quye, Professor Anita
• Authors: Ferreira, E. S. B., Hulme, A. N., McNab, H., and Quye, A.
• College/School: College of Arts & Humanities > School of Culture and Creative Arts > History of Art
• Journal Name: Chemical Society Reviews
• Journal Abbr.: Chem. Soc. Rev.
• Publisher: Royal Society of Chemistry
• ISSN: 0306-0012
• ISSN (Online): 1460-4744
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2004 The Royal Society of Chemistry
• First Published: First published in Chemical Society Reviews 33(6):329-336
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher