reddish or blue colorants in textile linings

Ingredients

Gums

Preparation Steps

Original Recipe Text

Many textiles used for spine-linings are undyed, plain fabrics, as they were not meant to be visible after the binding was finished (p. 47). However, the survey regularly encountered fabrics dyed reddish or blue, as well as blue chequered or striped patterns (p. 47). Block-stamped designs were occasionally found on these textiles (p. 47). Gums were noted in historical sources as a binder for pigments (p. 45).

Evidence

"It is therefore interesting then that coloured fabrics, often reddish or blue, are quite regularly encountered, as well as blue chequered or striped patterns. Now and then a block-stamped design was also found. (p. 47)"

Remarks

These pigmented or dyed textiles were used for strength and functionality in the spine-lining rather than for decorative purposes (p. 47). The use of colored fabrics suggests binders used available textile scraps, which were occasionally patterned or stamped (p. 47).