JH Color Theory: Patina
A quick Color Theory story in homage to the worn-in, idiosyncratic imperfection that comes with age and the inspiration behind our newest polish, Patina.
Roman Glass Perfume Bottle, Eastern Mediterranean, Early-mid 1st century.
The word patina comes from the Italian patina (shallow layer of deposit on a surface), derived from the Latin patĭna (pan, shallow dish).
Patination describes a particular quality of material decay; the electrochemical result of accumulated exposure to the elements...
Exhibit A: Our vernacular for patina invariably includes the iconic Statue of Liberty, which gleans its famous green color from the natural patina formed on its copper surface.
Statue of Liberty, New York, NY. Original image source unknown.
Bronze Mirror, C. 300 BC, Early Iron Age, C/O The Korean Christian Museum at Soongsil University, Seoul.
Exhibit B: Bronze mirror, c. 300 BC, esteemed for the patina that forms over time as the surface of the bronze tarnishes.
“Is, Was (Deep)” by Christopher Wilmarth, 1975-76, C/O Chrysler Museum of Art
Exhibit C: Roughcast steel with a dark, earthy patina in Is, Was (Deep), an avant-garde sculpture by Christopher Wilmarth.
His "related works are concerned with memories, their gradual effacement, and the passage of time." [Chrysler Museum of Art]
As a physical property patina offers a visual marker of an object’s time-boundedness, reflected in the accumulated signs of aging.
One part ultra-pale early spring green, one part painter's putty, our newest JH polish member was inspired by the sheen – a product of age, wear, and polishing – as it is commonly used to refer to objects with “character.”
Halfdollar Coin, 1954. C/O Heritage Auctions.
Bronze Patina Buckle, 12th Century, C/O The MET Museum.
We're also relishing in the absurdity of the common cliché: “It has a beautiful patina!” aka. that thing just looks… kinda old.
The color is purposefully ambiguous, like honeydew or white smoke. But if you had to describe it, our tasting notes include:
Symbolic Maturity
Creme de Lichen
An Oxidized Finish
