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Sylvia Rose

Tricky Alchemy: Caput Mortuum Purple

Updated: Oct 7

Caput mortuum, Latin for as "dead head" is an ominous name for a valued color. As an iron oxide it's easy to make at home. As a purple it's hard to get. From an ancient Egyptian recipe, this earthy pigment is used in art, dyeing and alchemy. Ingredients are commonplace.



caput mortuum powder
caput mortuum powder

Alchemy comes from several sources. It covers metals and gemology to medicines and herbology, to creation of pigments for painting and dyeing. The purple trend begins with Julius Caesar, who wears the color to stress his importance after seeing it in Egypt.


A highly desirable color in ancient Rome, the stylish Tyrian purple requires mass murder of thousands of murex sea snails. The color comes from their mucus glands. Because only the most wealthy can afford Tyrian purple, alternate sources are in great demand.



Murex snails & little stars
Murex snail shell

Natural dyes like alkanet show up early in history. Alchemical mixtures of purple appear by the first century AD, caput mortuum being among them. Pigments created by alchemists include yellow orpiment, Prussian blue, white and red lead. They're often toxic.


The first synthetic purple appears in the mid-19th century. Mauve, or aniline purple, is invented by 18-year-old William Henry Perkin. He discovers a method to make it from coal tar. The color appears on the palettes of the French Impressionists.



Paint tubes are invented in 1841, and screw-top lids in 1853. This gives artists freedom of travel.
Paint tubes are invented in 1841, and screw-top lids in 1853. This gives artists freedom to travel.

Here are the simple steps to create caput mortuum pigment at home. It's easy enough to prepare but the final phase involves soaking for several days.


Ingredients:


  1. Iron oxide, commonly known as rust

  2. Vinegar or another acidic solution

  3. Glass jars or containers

  4. Fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth (muslin)

  5. Water



ordinary table salt


Step 1: Collecting Iron Oxide (Rust)


Begin by gathering iron oxide, which can be scraped or broken as natural rust forming on iron or steel. Rust is easy to collect from old metal tools, nails, or even iron filings.


Step 2: Preparing the Acid Solution


Next, prepare the acidic solution by combining vinegar with water in a glass jar or container. The acidity of the solution helps in extracting and dissolving the iron oxide from the rust.


Step 3: Soaking the Rust


Place the rust-collected objects into the acidic solution. Ensure they are fully submerged. Allow the rust to soak in the solution for several days, stirring occasionally to aid the extraction process.



rusty old chains

Step 4: Filtering the Solution


After a few days, the acid solution turns a dark brown color, indicating extraction of iron oxide. To separate the pigment from the solution, filter the mixture using a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth. The residue left behind is caput mortuum pigment.


Step 5: Drying and Storing


Spread the extracted pigment on a clean surface to dry thoroughly. Once it's dried, store the caput mortuum pigment in a sealed container away from moisture and direct sunlight.



caput mortuum powder in vial


This is an alchemy recipe from almost 2000 years ago. Then, it's kept secret, known to only a few practitioners. Today it's made artificially and the key to creation of natural caput mortuum is still missing.


The practitioner is free to experiment with different ratios and concentrations to achieve the shades and consistency of this elusive pigment. Enjoy the creative journey.



purple swirl


Non-Fiction Books:


Fiction Books:

READ: Lora Ley Adventures - Germanic Mythology Fiction Series

READ: Reiker For Hire - Victorian Detective Murder Mysteries







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