Post by sabrias on Apr 6, 2024 20:14:03 GMT
Tyrian purple was the most expensive pigment in ancient civilizations. Used in everything from sails to paintings to jewellery, the recipe for this pigment – a labour-intensive process requiring the secretions of tens of thousands of sea snails – was lost about 500 years ago.
In 16th-century England, only the king was allowed to wear purple. The Earl of Surrey, for example, was tried for high treason against Henry VIII when he was seen wearing the “royal colour”.
Since 2007, Mohamed Ghassen Nouira of Tunisia has been working to rediscover the ancient formula and has produced a pigment he described to the BBC as being “very alive, very dynamic”. Some of the world’s top museums have invited him to display his pigment, which, sadly, could soon be lost forever, as the snails used to produce it are under threat.
In 16th-century England, only the king was allowed to wear purple. The Earl of Surrey, for example, was tried for high treason against Henry VIII when he was seen wearing the “royal colour”.
Since 2007, Mohamed Ghassen Nouira of Tunisia has been working to rediscover the ancient formula and has produced a pigment he described to the BBC as being “very alive, very dynamic”. Some of the world’s top museums have invited him to display his pigment, which, sadly, could soon be lost forever, as the snails used to produce it are under threat.