TYRIAN PURPLE
The manufacture of the famous Tyrian purple, the badge of Roman aristocracy, whs a great source of wealth to the merchants"of Tyre, which had a world-wide celebrity for its dyeing and weaving establishments. The colouring matter was obtained from a shdllfish which was found in the .Mediterranean, .mil ehiellv on the coasts of Asia (Minor and Phoenicia. Fabric to be dyed was sometimes moistened with sea water. The natural dye, as found in the shell, was then brushed over it two or three times, after which it; was exposed to the air and sunshine. At first a faint yellow, it turned to green, then finally to deep purple, and the colour.was "fast.” Instead of failing, indeed, the more it was exposed i(i the air the deeper and faster it became.
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Bibliographic details
Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 2 December 1927, Page 2
Word Count
132TYRIAN PURPLE Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 2 December 1927, Page 2
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