Another rich blue paint could either be the fabulously expensive lapis lazuli, made by grinding down gemstones imported from Afghanistan, or one of the earliest known uses of a synthetic version of the colour. “Either would be a startling discovery. Again, these are artists’ colours which you would never expect to find in house decoration,” Shaw said.
Now on long lease to a trust from the local authority, Pitzhanger Manor is due to reopen in 2018.
