St. John's blood
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Description
A red dyestuff, similar to Kermes, obtained from the dried bodies of the insect Porphyrophorus polonicus (formerly Margarodes polonicus). These insects live on the roots of the Scleranthus penennis found in the sandy areas of northeastern Europe.
Synonyms and Related Terms
Saint John's blood; Polish cochenille; Polish grains; Polish red
Resources and Citations
- Judith Hofenk-de Graaff, Natural Dyestuffs: Origin, Chemical Constitution, Identification, Central Research Laboratory for Objects of Art and Science, Amsterdam, 1969
- J. Thornton, 'The Use of Dyes and Colored Varnishes in Wood Polychromy', Painted Wood: History and Conservation, The Getty Conservation Insitute, Los Angeles, 1998