Caput mortuum

Caput mortuum (Latin for "Totenkopf "), even Colcothar or Kolkothar or Morell salt, is a synthetic pigment from the group of iron oxide red. Its color is a red violettstichiges

Etymology

In seeking the alchemists of the 15th century to the production of " fuming " sulfuric acid was the roasting of pyrite at very high temperatures a fine in the dry state bluish- violet powder as a byproduct. The alchemists called it the language of their profession following as caput mortuum, ie " dead head " in the sense of " worthless stuff".

In another interpretation, the name is derived directly from the skull: Supposedly corresponds to the color of the discoloration of the clotted blood at the interfaces decapitated heads.

A second name of this pigment is Colcothar or Kolkothar. One thought of the biblical Golgotha ​​Golgotha ​​, which is actually golgota is called in Hebrew, and established a connection between a skull and "Totenkopf " her.

The derivation of the third name Morell salt takes simple contrast from: cherries are the blue and red sour cherries, the color of the caput mortuum similar.