Vegetable dyes in rug and carpet weaving

Originally all dyes used in Oriental rug and carpet weaving were made from animal and vegetable substances. The wild madder root is most often used in rug and carpet production resulting in various shades of red. Blues are obtained from the Indigo plant, and yellow dyes from Milkwort (Isperek) or Saffron Crocus and vine leaves. Black colours are made from mixing henna with Indigo or by using logwood (brazilwood) combined with ferrous sulphate. unfortunately ferrous sulphate is corrosive resulting in the wool being eaten away, which is why many old and antique rugs and carpets have an embossed look.
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