In Search of Persian Blue

There are two confusing colours in the paint box. One is Prussian Blue and the other is Persian Blue. Prussian Blue was first used by the court of painters of the Royal Academy of Arts in Berlin, Germany from the early 18th century. The name 'Persian Blue' is first recorded in the English language in 1669. However, the actual traditional colour making system of the Persians go back to the pre-Islamic period. Persian Blue was the most expensive pigment in the world.

This comparative study attempts to investigate and explore the origin of the cultural identity of Persian Blue. The study further cites proofs for the fact that Persian Blue was used in many parts of the world, including ancient Sri Lanka.