Microstructural and chemical characterization of a purple pigment from a Faiyum mummy portrait

Abstract

The earliest known writing referring ancient mummy portraiture is a brief note in the elder Pliny's Naturalis Historia, which dates to the first century CE. 1,2 The portraits from Roman Imperial Egypt, such as the example under discussion shown in Figure 1, Portrait of a Bearded Man, were intended to reflect not only the age, gender, and likeness of the individual, but the real or aspirational status of the subject of the portrait, both in his or her life on earth and anticipated rebirth in the next world. These funerary portraits were ultimately affixed to the exterior of the mummified individual using wrappings or to the sarcophagus of the deceased. 2-4 The practice of such portraiture is known to date from shortly after Egypt became a Roman province in 30 BCE, into the third century CE. 2

Synthesis of novel green phosphate pigments with phosphophyllite composition

“…1,2 For example, inorganic color pigments containing metals such as mercury, cadmium, and lead have advantages in terms of high photostability, heat-resistant colorability, and cost. [3][4][5][6] In addition, oxide pigments are difficult to use in paints and plastics due to their weak coloring and covering power. 7 Sulfate and nitride pigments have lower heat resistance than oxide pigments and require toxic or flammable gases during synthesis.…”

“…However, due to the lack of availability of suitable alternative materials, materials containing toxic metals are being used in various fields 1,2 . For example, inorganic color pigments containing metals such as mercury, cadmium, and lead have advantages in terms of high photostability, heat‐resistant colorability, and cost 3–6 . In addition, oxide pigments are difficult to use in paints and plastics due to their weak coloring and covering power 7 .…”