Pigments — Mercury-based red (cinnabar-vermilion) and white (calomel) and their degradation products

Abstract This article summarises the history of cinnabar, from its first uses in burials to modern oils on canvas. After a brief introduction mercury and contamination issues, gets heart topic. First, mercury-based minerals significant for studying pigments, i.e . metacinnabar, hypercinnabar calomel, are presented. Structural information properties precede an overview geographic distribution cinnabar deposits. The following section addresses multiple divided into funerary use, decorative lustre Chinese lacquer production. use writing (ink), medicine cosmetics is briefly described, shortlist uncommon finds further provided. approaches inherent but less known topics such as procurement, trade, production technology, application alteration. An entire dedicated calomel before concluding with analytical methods characterisation provenance investigation cinnabar.