Re: For Catherine: academic query about henna

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Posted by Alison on October 1, 2004 at 18:27:47:

In reply to: For Catherine: academic query about henna posted by Katherine on October 1, 2004 at 15:07:26:

: In your research, have you encountered anything to indicate the use
: of henna for hair in sixteenth-century France or England? [I have
: read your article about the attempted ban on it as a 'Moorish'
: practice in Spain under the Inquisition.] Many of the female
: portraits seem to me to suggest it, as did the popularity of red
hair
: to emulate Elizabeth I. Later, of course, there are all those
Titians
: from Italy. TIA, Katherine

Well, I'm not Catherine, but as henna does not grow except in very
hot, arid climates and it stales quickly once processed, I think it
is highly unlikely that it was used in Northern Europe (widely or at
all). With modern and semi-modern shipping from the mid 1800's it
was possible to send henna that far north before it went stale, but
before then it wouldn't have been feasible.

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Re: For Catherine: academic query about henna Katherine 19:35:09 10/2/2004 (0)

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: : In your research, have you encountered anything to indicate the use : : of henna for hair in sixteenth-century France or England? [I have : : read your article about the attempted ban on it as a 'Moorish' : : practice in Spain under the Inquisition.] Many of the female : : portraits seem to me to suggest it, as did the popularity of red : hair : : to emulate Elizabeth I. Later, of course, there are all those : Titians : : from Italy. TIA, Katherine : : Well, I'm not Catherine, but as henna does not grow except in very : hot, arid climates and it stales quickly once processed, I think it : is highly unlikely that it was used in Northern Europe (widely or at : all). With modern and semi-modern shipping from the mid 1800's it : was possible to send henna that far north before it went stale, but : before then it wouldn't have been feasible.
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