[expand]
Natural bone was tan or white—colors that could be modified through staining, creating contrast, adding visual interest.
The Darkening:
Heating bone darkened it—controlled charring created brown or black surface without destroying material. The darkening could be selective—protecting some areas while exposing others to heat, creating two-tone effect, making carved details more visible through color contrast.
The Dyeing:
Soaking in pigmented solutions stained bone—red from madder, yellow from certain plants, blue from woad. The dyes penetrated slightly beneath surface, creating colors that wouldn’t immediately wear off, though they gradually faded with handling and exposure.
The colored bone appeared in decorative inlays—different colors forming patterns, creating visual complexity, demonstrating craftsman’s sophistication and access to dyeing materials.
[/expand]