About Oxblood
Oxblood, #4a0000, is red pushed almost to black — deep, dried and dramatic. Darker than burgundy, richer than maroon, it is red at the very edge of visibility: intensity held in reserve.
History
Oxblood glazed Chinese porcelain (the coveted sang-de-boeuf), stained Dr. Martens’ signature boot, and bound legal and liturgical books. The name is literal — the deep red of blood, which butchers and dyers both knew intimately.
Psychology
Oxblood reads powerful, gothic and expensive — red with the volume down and the depth up. It signals rebellion and luxury at once: punk boots and boardroom leather.
In design
Oxblood is a text-capable near-black red (13.5:1 on white) and a commanding dark surface for gold and cream. Pair with charcoal, forest, brass and blush. It replaces black where warmth and menace are both wanted.
In culture
Sang-de-boeuf glazes chased by collectors, oxblood Docs on every punk, oxblood ledgers in old chambers: the color of things bound to last and built to intimidate.