Color Archaeology

A modern perspective on ancient ceramic designs, with a focus on the use of color in different cultures.

After three years of research and development, Italian designer Roberto Sironi has launched the Color Archaeology exhibition at the Laufen Space Milano art gallery. The multidisciplinary project explores the history of color in ceramic production dating from 4000 BC. to 1500 AD. Analyzing ancient artifacts from archaeological museum archives around the world, Roberto Sironi categorized the objects from a chromatic perspective. Focusing on 8 civilizations, the designer narrowed the palette to 12 colors, each directly linked to a specific culture and location. The palette comes to life in Laufen’s SaphirKeramik collection which is reimagined in ancient hues. Collaborating with ceramist Luca Mandaglio, Roberto Sironi also created a series of ceramic sculptures that evoke ancient techniques and colors.

The 12 colors create a link between archaeological artifacts and contemporary design, weaving a thread through time. These ancient colors were either created with natural plants and minerals or with chemical processes. From the night blue shades of medieval Islamic ceramics to the greens of the Japanese Kamakura period and the burnt orange colors of Roman amphorae, the palette captures the richness of different cultures. Likewise, the 10 ceramic sculptures reference the past, with shapes that remind of Roman artifacts, zoomorphic figurines from the Bamana empire, or architectural designs from Japan’s Kofun period.

A fascinating exploration of the history of human artistry through a chromatic perspective, the Color Archaeology exhibition opened in November 7th 2024 and will last until May 2025 at Laufen Space Milano, Italy. Photography© Oliver Helbig and Federico Villa.