Colorimetry Applied to the Preservation-Restoration of Mosaics: the characterisation of the colour of stone tesserae and ceramics

Abstract

Colorimetry is a science which has been used in the preservation-restoration of cultural heritage for some time but, how useful could it be in the field of mosaics? And what method would be most appropriate? This article details the scientific study of the characterisation of the colour of stone tesserae and ceramics belonging to two polychrome mosaics by employing four different methods. Munsell® colour charts, scanner-comparator, desktop colorimeter and spectrophotometer.