Brown chalk

Three Gray Wolves
MFA# 1983.205

Description

An archaic common name for umber, a dark brown earth pigment contains silica, clay, and a mixture iron hydroxide and manganese dioxide. The name brown chalk was used prior to the 1800s when chemical compound names were standardized (Schur 1985).

Traces of brown chalk
MFA# 48.496

Resources and Citations

• Susan E. Schur, Conservation Terminology: A review of Past & Current Nomenclature of Materials, Technology and Conservation, Spring (p.34-39); Summer (p.35-38); Fall (p.25-36), 1985