![]() These were “colours that looked their best on velvet cloth,” opined the aforementioned Heinrich Frieling. The value and respect accorded to purple silk can be seen in textile samples from the Middle Ages, which cost more than 1500 euros per m2 in today’s money. The powdered and beribboned wigs of the late Baroque and early Rococo periods were supported by an architectural “scaffolding” up to 80 cm in height. Gold brocade, purple sash, red doublet, blue trousers and high-heeled buckle shoes were the outfit of a gentleman. Great military deeds were rewarded with noble titles or a new set of richly embroidered clothes. The rich and powerful clothe themselves in violet purple and bright redĪcross history and cultures, clothing was one of the most valuable possessions. It was only when it became possible to produce a synthetic purple dye that its use again became more widespread. The labour-intensive process of producing the natural dye meant that, over the centuries, the historical uses of purple were gradually replaced by what today is known as cardinal violet, a colour closer to deep red. ![]() ![]() Only the highest-ranking officials and members of the emperor’s family were permitted to wear purple. The ancient Romans were also aware of the value of the dye. What we do know for certain is that ancient Greek fleets dyed the sails of their admirals’ ships purple to emphasise their importance. The legend then tells how Melqart presented his lover, the nymph Tyros, with a dress dyed the same colour. The mysterious colour could not be washed off. According to legend, the dog of the Phoenician god Melqart, known as Tyrian Hercules in Roman mythology, ate a snail on the beach which stained his muzzle purple. ![]() ![]() Many legends swirl around the discovery of the dye, not least in Greek mythology.
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