Roman purple ink

The ink of the emperors.

Ideal for writing on papyrus leaves.

• Contains 10ml
• Jar size: 2 x 5cm
• Cork stopper
• Closed with a jute string and a wax seal.

Roman purple ink, also known as purple snail ink, has its roots in the ancient tradition of extracting this precious pigment from Mediterranean snail species known as Murex endivia.

This meticulous process gave the ink a unique distinction and made it the most exclusive and expensive writing fluid of its time, reserved exclusively for the Byzantine emperors in the late Roman Empire.

Purple, the color of royalty, was also the signature hue of emperors in Constantinople. In the Middle Ages, this shade was closely associated with the Catholic Church and, in particular, with cardinals. Considered a sacred color, evocative of spirituality and penitence, monks adopted purple ink in their writing. Thus, the purple ink is not only presented as a visually stunning material within the bottle, but also serves as a means to revive and connect with the rich history of this exclusive pigment, extracted from nature.