Stick-Lac

Item

Identifier

2025.041

Title

Stick-Lac

Description

This natural resin is produced by scale insects that convert the sap of infested plants into a resinous mass. The raw, untreated resin is known as stick-lac. Purified shellac is marketed as seed lac, button-lac or shellac in flakes. The dye must be extracted from the stick lac before it can be used to color cloth. Lac extract yields crimsons to burgundy reds to deep purples. The colors are similar to those from cochineal but warmer, softer, and more muted. The lac dye has high light and wash fastness on silk and wool. Only small quantities are needed for a medium depth of shade.

Subject

dye materials; dye; dyes; dyeing; red; resin; resins

Source

Purchased from Kremer Pigments

Copyright statement

These images are posted publicly for non-profit educational uses, excluding printed publication. Other uses may not be permitted.

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