tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24362308.post5139865383873116071..comments2024-03-28T09:24:34.712+00:00Comments on iron mitten: Roman crest coloursSecundushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03315796155081335530noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24362308.post-23892640784923247752011-05-18T15:08:45.638+01:002011-05-18T15:08:45.638+01:00Another thought:
Arrian's "Yellow" ...Another thought:<br /><br />Arrian's "Yellow" plumes could be no more than natural undyed blonde horse hair. Interestingly enough, black and dark-red brown are also natural horse hair colours that needn't necasarily have ben dyed in any way. The "white" horse hair could just have been the bleached hair given no further treatment. So perhaps these "dyed" helmet crests weren't dyed at all? For a mass produced product that would certainly make sense.Scutatushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06424732073004621220noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24362308.post-86446297355329831802011-05-18T14:59:38.501+01:002011-05-18T14:59:38.501+01:00Scarlet red plumes are so Hollywood, cliche and wo...Scarlet red plumes are so Hollywood, cliche and worst of all, there isn't any evidence for them. Re-enactors use bright red plumes because that is what is expected by the plebs, not because it is accurate.<br /><br />The Romans did use crests and plumes, as many of the helmet finds have holes for plume or crest holders. They used feathers or horse hair for said plumes and, if they dyed the horse hair at all, would have done so with natural vegetable dyes. <br /><br />However, vegetable dye does not work very well on horse hair. Therefore it is probable that horse hair crest/plume colours were limited in scope and restricted to those colours that actually come out well with vegetable dyes; namely white, black or red-brown (NOT red proper!). Arrian speaks of yellow plumes, but he is describing the hippika gymnasia and the plumes are likely feathers. <br /><br />Your white plumes are both beautiful and most appropriate. Far more suitable - and nicer looking - than the scarlet red. Nicely done, I'm glad you changed them back. :DScutatushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06424732073004621220noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24362308.post-36468105092677819562011-04-26T10:41:30.862+01:002011-04-26T10:41:30.862+01:00ARR Sorry Dan, I sat up all last night and painted...ARR Sorry Dan, I sat up all last night and painted them back to white again.Secundushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03315796155081335530noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24362308.post-70305433631774163582011-04-26T08:29:01.634+01:002011-04-26T08:29:01.634+01:00I like the red crests with the blue shields, but h...I like the red crests with the blue shields, but hey, they're your figures.<br /><br />Awesome blog by the way!SpeedyFrenchyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02673019990722936006noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24362308.post-41450186075741502652011-04-25T22:14:13.499+01:002011-04-25T22:14:13.499+01:00... and the rectangular scuta are great!... and the rectangular scuta are great!BigRedBathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05622983082204451158noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24362308.post-38740511098890367692011-04-25T18:45:13.912+01:002011-04-25T18:45:13.912+01:00I have to say that I also prefer the white crests!...I have to say that I also prefer the white crests! Looking good.BigRedBathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05622983082204451158noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24362308.post-55011850629570995432011-04-25T16:56:06.476+01:002011-04-25T16:56:06.476+01:00Both plume colours look good -but I suppose the re...Both plume colours look good -but I suppose the red gives them more of what we think is a 'unit of the line' look rather than elite<br /><br />Cheers<br /><br />KenKenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03909580539526966279noreply@blogger.com