Polychromed

Polychromed is an adjective meaning decorated in many colors; the past participle of polychrome. Derived from the Greek poly- “many” and chroma “color,” the term is used to describe objects, surfaces, or artworks that originally possessed multiple colors through painting, inlay, glaze, or other coloration methods.

In art history and archaeology, polychromed objects include sculptures, reliefs, pottery, and architectural decorations. Many ancient and medieval works were polychromed to enhance expressiveness or indicate status, with pigment layers often lost over time. The term is commonly applied to artifacts that reveal traces of original paint upon examination, restoration, or conservation.

Techniques and materials vary; pigments may be mineral-based, earth-based, or organic, coupled with binders such as tempera, limewash, or glaze. Surfaces such as stone, wood, ceramic, or plaster may carry multiple hues in patterns, figures, or inscriptions. The degree of polychromy can range from subtle contrast to vivid, highly decorative schemes.

In modern usage, polychromed emphasizes the object's current or restored state of multi-color decoration, as opposed to a generic description of its color scheme. Conservators study polychromed works to identify pigments, reconstruct missing layers, and interpret historical techniques.

See also polychrome, polychromy.