4683 - Red Carved Cinnabar - SOLD Handcarved, Red Cinnabar lacquered, oval focal beads.
Size: approx. 33x19mm
Price: 1.50 per bead.
Stock: Temp sold out. Please call back.
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Technically, Cinnabar is mercury sulfide – found near recent volcanic activity. Its name comes from Medieval Latin cinnabaris; Red lead. Because of its vivid red color, powdered cinnabar was used during ancient times for "war" and ceremonial face and body paint.
The toxicity of mercury and cinnabar was well known before 2000 B.C, when slaves and prisoners mining the ore died after three-years. However, the Chinese during the Song Dynasty, reduced the risk by using lacquer over the cinnabar carvings onto chests, candle sticks, snuff bottles and other ornaments.
Today, the toxic pigment is replaced by a resin-based polymer that looks the same as the pigmented lacquer. Most beads and jewelry sold as cinnabar now, consist of a carved wood base covered by layers of resin, and are totally harmless.
4689 - Black Carved Cinnabar Black carved Cinnabar, oblong focal beads.
Size: approx. 22x 15mm
Price: 1 euro per bead
Stock: 5
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Technically, Cinnabar is mercury sulfide – found near recent volcanic activity. Its name comes from Medieval Latin cinnabaris; Red lead. Because of its vivid red color, powdered cinnabar was used during ancient times for "war" and ceremonial face and body paint.
The toxicity of mercury and cinnabar was well known before 2000 B.C, when slaves and prisoners mining the ore died after three-years. However, the Chinese during the Song Dynasty, reduced the risk by using lacquer over the cinnabar carvings onto chests, candle sticks, snuff bottles and other ornaments.
Today, the toxic pigment is replaced by a resin-based polymer that looks the same as the pigmented lacquer. Most beads and jewelry sold as cinnabar now, consist of a carved wood base covered by layers of resin, and are totally harmless.
