A Dictionary of Colour — A Dictionary of Colour RSS

A colour standardised in 1934. There is great diversity of opinion as to what constitutes Moss Green but the colour given here represents the average number of samples.

A descriptive name from one of the groups of minerals known as felspars found chiefly in Ceylon. One of the delicate blues found chiefly in Chinese pottery and silks.

A lighter tone of Madonna blue. Medici porcelain was the first successful attempt in Europe to make imitations of Chinese porcelain. The experimental manufactory housed in the Casino of San Marco in Florence existed between 1575 and 1587 under the patronage of Francesco l de' Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany. Following the precedents of classic Chinese blue and white porcelain, decorations were painted in under-glaze blue, which resulted in a range of hues when fired—from a bright cobalt blue to grey 

A colour much used in French and English tapestries of very early date. This colour was matched to seventeenth century Mortlake tapestries at the V.&A.

A descriptive colour name introduce into seasonal ranges in 1945. A very old colour name derived from Buffalo, through the Italian Buffalo. From Greek, boubalos (the old world ox). Many varieties of Buffs are used in different industries, very often with adjectives as dark, light, deep, rich, tan etc. Originally referring to the colour of the leather used in soldiers’ uniforms. There are references to Buff as forming part of the facings on uniforms of the Trained Bands of London as long ago as 1572, and it has been stated that the East Kent Regiment derives its name “the Buffs” from the fact that they were the first regiment to use accoutrements of buffalo leather. The facings used on the uniform...