[MR] RE: heraldry

[Craig Levin]

> In a message dated 01-06-04 08:41:36 EDT, guojia at earthlink.net writes:
> 
> <  I believe that heralds were plagued by unstable  pigments in the Period as 
> well.  >
> 
> Especially argent.  Look at all the shields with dark gray areas in the Codex 
> Manesse.  The artist used metallic silver in emblazoning argent . . . . 

Actually, I had the opportunity to do some hunting about in
Catholic U.'s SLIS library yesterday. It seems that one type of
red manuscript pigment, made with lead, would fade to black as
well, which has got to play merry heck with people looking at the
emblazons.

Pedro