From Harewood's collection

Harewood's 'Colours Uncovered' exhibition showcased a few selected items from their collection. These pretty pink ceramics in the Yellow Drawing Room are Sèvres porcelain, made in the mid 18th century.  The pink is known as 'fond rose' (pink ground).

The green below is Chinese celadon, one of the oldest glazes, created by fusing white-hot wood ash with clays. The colour comes from iron oxides in the ash and clay. The pieces shown were acquired by Edward 'Beau' Lascelles in the 18th century. Often gilt-bronze mounts were added later, in France and England. 

'Madonna and Child with St John and St Jerome' is a 16th century painting by Alvise Vivarini and Marco Basaiti, oil paint on panel, which has recently undergone extensive conservation. The glorious blue of the madonna's robes is almost certainly ultramarine, made from ground lapis lazuli mined in remote caves in Afghanistan and more precious than gold. The green of St John's robe is verdigris, formed by a chemical reaction between copper and acetic acid. Venice, where the painting was made, was a centre for the trading of precious pigments. (My apologies for the unavoidable reflection in the glass.)