Tyrian purple
History
Tyrian purple, also known as Phoenician purple, is a reddish-purple natural dye. It is a secretion produced by several species of predatory sea snails in the family Murex. This dye was first produced by the ancient Phoenicians as early as 1570 BC. The Phoenicians established an ancillary production facility on the Iles Purpuraires at Mogador, in Morocco. The sea snail harvested at this western Moroccan dye production facility was Hexaplex trunculus also known as the banded dye-murex. The purple dye became extremely valuable and was a status symbol of the wealthy and powerful in Rome and Byzantium.
Production
The production of Tyrian purple was a lengthy and costly process. Thousands of the tiny snails had to be harvested and then boiled for days in giant lead vats to produce a single gram of the dye. The dye was a deep, rich purple that became brighter and more intense with exposure to sunlight, rather than fading. The exact method of production was a closely guarded secret among the Phoenicians.
Use in Antiquity
Tyrian purple was used by the ancient Phoenicians and Romans to color garments. The dye was highly prized and was a mark of high social status. The Roman author Pliny the Elder wrote about the production of Tyrian purple in his Natural History. He described the dye as being more expensive than gold and reserved for the garments of kings and queens.
Decline and Rediscovery
The production of Tyrian purple came to an end with the fall of Constantinople in 1453. The knowledge of how to produce the dye was lost. It was not until the 19th century that the dye was rediscovered by the French zoologist Henri de Lacaze-Duthiers, who identified the specific types of mollusks used in its production.
Modern Usage
Today, Tyrian purple is no longer produced due to its prohibitive cost. However, its unique color and historical significance have made it a popular topic of study among historians and artists. It is often used as a color reference in fashion and design.