värvikihte

Värvikihte is a brand or type of fabric paint or textile dye introduced in the European market, especially in the Baltic region, during the late 19th century. The name "värvikihte" roughly translates to "color wash" in various local dialects, which reflects the character of the product as a liquid dye.

Värvikihte was a machine-made dye, typically packaged in bottles or containers for application onto fabric surfaces. It was predominantly marketed and used for decorative purposes, such as coloring fabric in preparation for embroidery, quilting, or other needlework activities. In terms of chemical composition, värvikihte's exact formulation is not well-documented, but it is likely based on aniline or vat dyes, common in early commercial dyes.

A primary characteristic of värvikihte was its relatively low toxicity compared to some of its contemporaries. Considering the before mentioned lack of information regarding its exact chemical composition, it can only be assumed that manufacturers took steps to minimize racial sensitivity. However, concerns about long-term exposure to some textile dyes remain, just like with many other products from the era.

Värvikihte remains a relic of textile manufacturing history and is associated with the cultural practices of the region. The product has become somewhat of a curiosity among historians of chemical technology and consumers of antique textiles. Although its exact status as a particular product family is difficult to ascertain given the diverse regional and sometimes inconsistent branding practices prevalent at the time, järrä-värvikihtes make up a minor but distinct part of the textileruminreal product market during the late 19th and 20th centuries.