Colours of the collection

Colour is the way we describe an object based on the way it reflects or absorbs light. The apple in your lunchbox reflects red light, and grass beneath your feet reflects green. Our eyes can detect three colours: red, green and blue- but by combining these we can perceive a much larger range.

What primary and secondary colours can YOU see in some of our favourite objects below?

Ruby, Scarlet, Crimson, Rose
What colour now do you suppose?


Clockwise: “Congratulations Pharlap” Balloon, 1983 | Marble Stone Fragments, Italy, circa 1920s | Wooden Hexoctahedron Model | Toy Fire Engine, Italy, circa 1950s

Pumpkin, Sandstone, Ochre, Clay
What colour will you guess today?


Clockwise: Clicker Toy Plastic Duck, circa 1950s | Swatch, 'Wide Angle' Wrist Watch, 1994 | Nintendo Game and Watch “Donkey Kong,” 1982 | Garden Hose Attachment Nozze, circa 1980

Butter, Mustard, Citron, Gold
Name the colour you behold!

Clockwise: Welsh Poppy, Papaver cambricum | Kodak Gold 100 Film Cartridge, circa 2004 | CFA Hat- Peter Auty, Flowerdale, 2002-2009 | Avon “Genesis” Perfumette Bottle, circa 1984

Olive, Jade, Emerald, Lime
Choose a colour, now it’s time!

Clockwise: Kitchen Cup, Pendle Hall Dolls House, 1940s | Green Vegetable Bug, Nezara viridula, wax model, 1954 | Springvale High School Bag- Lorraine Crawford, mid 1960s | Steam Locomotive Model “Stephenson’s Rocket,” 1829

Royal, Navy, Sapphire, Sky
The colour’s there so have a try!

Clockwise: Eastman Kodak Co. “Petite” Vest Pocket Model B Camera | Female Relatives Badge, “To Women of Australia For Duty Done,” 1917 | Javan Green Magpie, Cissa thalassina | Auditory Promontory Stimulator, prototype

Eggplant, Orchid, Lilac, Plum
Choose a colour- only one!

Clockwise: Purple Scarf with Blue Spots, 2018 | Bright Oakblue, Arhopala madytus, adult male | Guido Pasquali Canvas Boots, 1960-1990 | Nurse’s Watch
You scored 6

 

Collections Online

Visit Collections Online to find out more about some of the objects pictured above.

Red

“Congratulations Pharlap” Balloon, 1983
Marble Stone Fragments, Italy, circa 1920s
Toy Fire Engine, Italy, circa 1950s

Orange

Clicker Toy Plastic Duck, circa 1950s
Swatch, 'Wide Angle' Wrist Watch, 1994
Nintendo Game and Watch “Donkey Kong,” 1982
Garden Hose Attachment Nozze, circa 1980

Yellow

Kodak Gold 100 Film Cartridge, circa 2004
CFA Hat- Peter Auty, Flowerdale, 2002-2009
Avon “Genesis” Perfumette Bottle, circa 1984

Green

Kitchen Cup, Pendle Hall Dolls House, 1940s
Green Vegetable Bug, Nezara viridula, wax model, 1954
Springvale High School Bag- Lorraine Crawford, mid 1960s
Steam Locomotive Model “Stephenson’s Rocket,” 1829

Blue

Eastman Kodak Co. “Petite” Vest Pocket Model B Camera
Female Relatives Badge, “To Women of Australia For Duty Done,” 1917
Javan Green Magpie
Auditory Promontory Stimulator, prototype

Purple

Guido Pasquali Canvas Boots, 1960-1990

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