UV-Vis reflectance spectrometry study of the dyed silks in a relic shrine found in Antwerp, Belgium

Abstract: The dye used on the silk textiles in an as yet undated relic shrine in a church in Antwerp was analysed by reflectance UV-Vis spectrometry. The natural dyestuff carthamin from safflower (Carthamus tinctorius) was detected; because of its very poor light fastness this does not allow the shrine to be exhibited. Neither does it allow dating of the silk, since safflower has been used over a period of three millennia.