Indigo & the Murex

©2007 by Carol Anne Grotrian, Cambridge
108x39

Since ancient times, a surprising variety of plants provided indigo for dyeing. Here four major species accompany the murex shell, source of ancient Tyrian purple dye. Oddly, the plant and animal dyes share a similar chemistry and a molecule with only slight differences. Shibori dyed cotton using synthetic indigo. Hand Quilted.