Egyptian blue, also known as calcium copper silicate (CaCuSi4O10 or CaO·CuO·4SiO2), is a pigment used by Egyptians for thousands of years. It is considered to be the first synthetic pigment. The pigment was known to the Romans by the name caeruleum. Vitruvius describes in his work '"De architectura" how it was produced by grinding sand, copper and natron and heating the mixture, shaped into small balls, in a furnace. Lime is necessary for the production as well, but probably lime-rich sand was used. After the Roman era, Egyptian Blue fell from usage and the manner of its creation was forgotten.
The ancient Egyptian word wedjet signifies blue, blue-green and green.
The first recorded use of Egyptian blue as a color name in English was in 1809.
Read more about Egyptian Blue: Definition, History and Background, Composition and Manufacture, Sources, Archaeological Evidence, Connections With Other Vitreous Material and With Metals, Occurrences Outside of Egypt, See Also
Famous quotes containing the words egyptian and/or blue:
“...the Hebrew women are not like the Egyptian women; for they are vigorous and give birth before the midwife comes to them.”
—Bible: Hebrew, Exodus 1:19.
Egyptian midwives to Pharaoh.
“Dear Friend,
the canebrakes
nestled in the riverbank’s lap,
their clusters broken
from the weight of blue bees,
have in time
become stumps.”
—Hla Stavhana (c. 50 A.D.)