It is poisonous: Cinnabar has been used for its color in the new world since the Olmec culture.[10] Cinnabar was often used in royal burial chambers during the peak of Mayan civilization. The red stone was inserted into limestone sarcophagi, both as a decoration and, more importantly, to deter vandals and thieves with its well-known toxicity.[11] The most popularly known use of cinnabar is in Chinese carved lacquerware, a technique that apparently originated in the Song Dynasty.[12] The danger of mercury poisoning may be reduced in ancient lacquerware by entraining the powdered pigment in lacquer,[13] but could still pose an environmental hazard if the pieces were accidentally destroyed. In the modern jewelry industry, the toxic pigment is replaced by a resin-based polymer that approximates the appearance of pigmented lacquer. In the Byzantine Empire, the Emperor and certain privileged bishops (such as the Ecumenical Patriarch and the Archbishop of Cyprus) were allowed the exclusive right of signing their names with ink colored vermilion by the addition of cinnabar.
--- On Thu, 6/11/09, [email protected] <[email protected]> wrote: From: [email protected] <[email protected]> Subject: [lace] bridal party gifts, Lacis, cinnabar & demos To: [email protected] Date: Thursday, June 11, 2009, 3:30 PM Hello All! Thanks for posting the link to Lacis! I had forgotten what cool stuff they have. Loved the pewter pendant pin idea but wondered how to fill it, small scale & all. Would you believe the Miniature Bobbin Lace book by Roz Snowden finally arrived from ILL after ordering the 1st week of April! Lots of miniature patterns that could be adapted & if the bride is having a Victorian-style day--even better!! I didn't notice if there was any lace in the EGA doll house on display in Louisville. A friend made a bargello wing chair & a stair runner but that's all I can remember. Maybe Jeri knows? Scrolling down the Lacis linked page, there was a cinnabar box. Someone told me that cinnabar is poisonous & of course this was after I bought some cute cinnabar beads for spangling bobbins! Rather than commit suicide by lace, I have parked them awaiting further info. Anyone? A friend & I did a lace demo in Oil City, PA last weekend. The quilters at the next booth were amaz ed, but no new recruits :-{ BTW, even though the list has been quiet, there have been some great links posted, so thanks to all. Susan, Erie, PA - To unsubscribe send email to [email protected] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [email protected]. For help, write to [email protected] - To unsubscribe send email to [email protected] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [email protected]. For help, write to [email protected]
