04-19-2007, 01:45 AM
Avete,
I'm glad Tony mentioned the issue of conflicting reports about milk paint versus encaustic. I've seen a few reenactors mention the usage of milk paints on shields. I have never seen any of the original archaological reports or secondary literature mentioning the usage of milk paints on shields. I would be grateful if someone could tell me where this notion derived from.
The original archaeological report from Dura Europos (M. Rostovtzeff, 1936) states unequivocally that the paint used was encaustic, and that this corresponds with previously known Hellenistic traditions of painting shields with encaustic paint.
If there was a later report that reversed this judgment, I'd love to know. So far, it just seems like reenactor lore, since milk paint was commonly used at the time for other applications.
Any thoughts?
Valete,
Dio
I'm glad Tony mentioned the issue of conflicting reports about milk paint versus encaustic. I've seen a few reenactors mention the usage of milk paints on shields. I have never seen any of the original archaological reports or secondary literature mentioning the usage of milk paints on shields. I would be grateful if someone could tell me where this notion derived from.
The original archaeological report from Dura Europos (M. Rostovtzeff, 1936) states unequivocally that the paint used was encaustic, and that this corresponds with previously known Hellenistic traditions of painting shields with encaustic paint.
If there was a later report that reversed this judgment, I'd love to know. So far, it just seems like reenactor lore, since milk paint was commonly used at the time for other applications.
Any thoughts?
Valete,
Dio
AVLVS ARRIVS DIOGENES
L. Arik Greenberg, Ph.D.
L. Arik Greenberg, Ph.D.
