How the pigment known as Han purple was synthesized by the ancient Chinese of the Qin and Han dynasties has puzzled scientists  The Chinese chemists employed the same chemical ingredients used for Han purple in the production of a common type of white glass during that period  Both were produced in processes that involved subjecting the mixtures to high heat and mixing in lead to decrease the melting temperature
Thus, Han purple was probably discovered by fortuitous accident during glass production
The technique used for producing Han purple was known to very few people during the Qin and Han dynasties.