Lac, like Cochineal, is a red dye used for many hundreds of years. Recently I had success dyeing with it and have discovered the deep, burgundy red of Lac. Lac comes from the scale insect Laccifer lacca which lives in fig trees. Its name most likely comes from the Sanskrit word ‘laksa’ which is the …
Red was the preserve of the Roman generals, according to Pliny. Warriors used this colour, including the British redcoats until they became easy targets in the South African landscape in the Boer War. A study of English football over the last 50 years found that teams who wear red are more likely to be winners. …