Blood of nightingales

November 15, 2012 7:13 AM

What is blood of nightingales dye and/or carpet pattern?

It's mentioned in Greer Gilman's Moonwise: "Here was the
keeping-room, with its wide cracked boards and blood-of-nightingales
scabrous rug".

I've googled and a friend checked the OED, and nothing has turned up.

posted by Nancy Lebovitz to grab bag (3 answers total)

I do know that "pigeon's blood" is a term often used to describe the deepest red rubies, so maybe that's a start?
posted by Madamina at 7:28 AM on November 15, 2012 [1 favorite]

I'm going to say a type of Persian rug.

"The ancient Persians explained the appearance of red roses with a legend of a nightingale who loved the white rose. When Allah named the rose the "Queen Flowers", the impulsive bird flew down to embrace her and was pierced by her thorns. From the drops of the nightingale's blood, red roses grew."
posted by Marie Mon Dieu at 7:29 AM on November 15, 2012 [3 favorites]

Marie, thanks-- it's at least plausible, and the rugs were worth seeing.
posted by Nancy Lebovitz at 2:20 AM on November 16, 2012