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

A. Green

B. Red

The correct colour is Red!
Red represents excitement, energy, passion, courage and attention.

C. Blue

D. Black

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

A. Orange

The correct colour is Orange!
Orange represents optimism, independence, adventure, creativity and fun.

B. Brown

C. Green

D. Pink

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

A. Grey

B. Orange

C. Purple

D. Yellow

The correct colour is Yellow!
Yellow represents energy, enthusiasm, impulse, clarity and happiness.

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

A. Yellow

B. Pink

C. Green

The correct colour is Green!
Green represents calmness, balance, growth, harmony and fertility.

D. Brown

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

A. Black

B. Red

C. Blue

The correct colour is Blue!
Blue represents loyalty, trust, integrity, knowledge and reliability.

D. Green

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

A. Orange

B. Purple

The correct colour is Purple!
Purple represents imagination, spirituality, compassion, sensitivity and mystery.

C. Pink

D. Brown

You scored 6

Collections Online

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

Colours of the collection

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

Collections Online

Red

Orange

Yellow

Green

Blue

Purple

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