Tuesday, March 08, 2011

Lydia Purpuraria, Patron of Dyers

Do you remember when I wrote about Lydia Purpuraria, the patron saint of dyers? Unless you were with me in the first couple years of this blog, you probably don't. I wrote about her here in 2007 and as part of a series of "saints as action figures" here in 2006.

In real life, Lydia Purpuraria would never have worn purple, as it would have been too expensive for a harvester of the many Murex brandaris shellfish needed to make a small amount of the Tyrian purple dye used in the clothing of royalty. However, this representation in doll form required it. Here she is:



Lydia Purpuraria doll is pictured with trees and shrubs by The Enchanted Cupboard
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3 comments:

  1. tanita✿davisMarch 09, 2011 1:33 AM

    The embroidery on the back is very pretty.

    I always wonder who the first person was to come up with these innovation... someone was eating one of the shellfish and accidentally got a little shell in there, as people do with eggshell? And it dyed their lunch? The shells are so pretty I don't know how anyone had the heart to do anything but look at them - but then, that's the difference between people who had to work for every free breath, and modern people who are a bit on the lazier side, what with automation and all...

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  2. AnonymousMarch 09, 2011 5:16 PM

    I love the purple.

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  3. Lone Star MaMarch 10, 2011 4:23 AM

    Love it! I remember!

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