Archaeology — Medieval
Shell, oyster shell, paint palette
Oyster shell palette with red pigment inside. Illuminators and scribes ground pigments or bought ingredients ready-prepared from a stationer or apothecary. Additives modified colour, texture and opacity, and prepared mixtures were kept in oyster shells. Several palettes, retaining traces of lapis lazuli and iron, lead and copper minerals, have been recovered from monastic sites. This example was found on the site of Merton Priory.
- Category:
- Archaeology
- Object ID:
- MPY88[9622]<4473>
- Object name:
- shell, oyster shell, paint palette
- Object type:
- Artist/Maker:
- —
- Related people:
- Related events:
- Related places:
- Production date:
- Medieval
- Material:
shell, pigment
- Measurements/duration:
- L 89 mm, W 81 mm (overall)
- Part of:
- —
- On display:
- —
- Record quality:
- 80%
- Part of this object:
- —
- Owner Status & Credit:
Archaeological archive
- Copyright holder:
digital image © London Museum
- Image credit:
- —
- Creative commons usage:
- —
- License this image:
To license this image for commercial use, please contact the London Museum Picture Library.