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Ancient Black by Curator shown in an interior

Ancient Black

CuratorTHE / PALETTE

Grey · Warm undertone

Ancient Black is a grey paint colour by Curator with a recorded warm undertone.

View all Curator colours

At a glance

Manufacturer
Curator
Collection
THE / PALETTE
Colour family
Grey
Undertone
Warm
Available finishes
5

Finish finder

What are you painting?

Choose the project and we'll surface the most suitable Curator finish first.

For interior walls and ceilings, lower-sheen finishes usually create the calmest result.

Recommended

Enhanced Matt

Soft-touch interior wall finish designed to be hard-wearing, wipeable and stain resistant.

  • Matt
  • High durability
  • Washable
View details

Alternative

Subtle Sheen

Soft-sheen interior wall finish for high-traffic areas, hallways, bathrooms and commercial spaces.

  • Soft sheen
  • High durability
  • Washable
View details
Advanced options

What are you painting?

Where is it?

What matters most?

Based on the manufacturer's published guidance, these paint products may suit your project.

Compare all finishes
Enhanced Matt Matt - Interior Best for: Interior ceilings, Interior walls Soft-touch interior wall finish designed to be hard-wearing, wipeable and stain resistant. Interior High durability Washable Stain resistant View details

Curator describes Enhanced Matt as an interior wall coating with a soft-touch finish, suited to bedrooms, sitting rooms and ceilings, with a durable, washable and stain-resistant acrylic formula.

Recommended surfacesInterior ceilings, Interior walls
SheenMatt
DurabilityYes, according to supplier guidance
WashabilityYes, according to supplier guidance
Stain resistanceYes, according to supplier guidance
ApplicationBrush, Roller, Spray
Coverage10m2 per litre
Touch dryTouch dry in 2-4 hours
Recoat timeRecoat in 4-6 hours
BaseWater-based
Official manufacturer source
Subtle Sheen Soft sheen - Interior Best for: Bathrooms, High-traffic areas, Interior walls Soft-sheen interior wall finish for high-traffic areas, hallways, bathrooms and commercial spaces. Interior High durability Washable Stain resistant View details

Curator describes Subtle Sheen as an interior wall coating with an illuminating sheen, often used in high-traffic areas, hallways, bathrooms and commercial spaces. It is washable and stain resistant.

Recommended surfacesBathrooms, High-traffic areas, Interior walls
SheenSoft sheen
DurabilityYes, according to supplier guidance
WashabilityYes, according to supplier guidance
Stain resistanceYes, according to supplier guidance
ApplicationBrush, Roller, Spray
Coverage10m2 per litre
Touch dryTouch dry in 2-4 hours
Recoat timeRecoat in 4-6 hours
BaseWater-based
Official manufacturer source
Eggshell Low sheen - Interior / Exterior Best for: Doors, Exterior metal, Exterior wood, Furniture Low-sheen interior and exterior wood and metal coating. Interior Exterior High durability Washable View details

Curator describes Eggshell as its lowest-sheen finish for interior and exterior wood and metal, most often used on furniture, doors and fences. It is washable, stain resistant and durable.

Recommended surfacesDoors, Exterior metal, Exterior wood, Furniture, Metal, Woodwork
SheenLow sheen
DurabilityYes, according to supplier guidance
WashabilityYes, according to supplier guidance
Stain resistanceYes, according to supplier guidance
ApplicationBrush, Roller, Spray
Coverage12-15m2 depending on surface conditions and technique
Touch dryTouch dry in 2-4 hours
Recoat timeRecoat in 6-8 hours
BaseWater-based
Official manufacturer source
Gloss High gloss - Interior / Exterior Best for: Doors, Exterior metal, Exterior wood, Furniture High-gloss interior and exterior wood and metal coating for long-lasting protection. Interior Exterior High durability Washable View details

Curator describes Gloss as a high-gloss finish for interior and exterior wood and metal. It is hard-wearing, easy to clean and often used on front doors, kitchen cabinets and exterior furniture.

Recommended surfacesDoors, Exterior metal, Exterior wood, Furniture, Metal, Woodwork
SheenHigh gloss
DurabilityYes, according to supplier guidance
WashabilityYes, according to supplier guidance
Stain resistanceYes, according to supplier guidance
ApplicationBrush, Roller, Spray
Coverage12-15m2 per litre
Touch dryTouch dry in 2-4 hours
Recoat timeRecoat in 6-8 hours
BaseWater-based
Official manufacturer source
Satin Mid sheen - Interior / Exterior Best for: Doors, Exterior metal, Exterior wood, Kitchen cupboards Mid-sheen interior and exterior wood and metal coating. Interior Exterior High durability Washable View details

Curator describes Satin as a water-based alkyd finish for interior and exterior wood and metal, often used on doors, windows, shutters, kitchen cabinets and fences.

Recommended surfacesDoors, Exterior metal, Exterior wood, Kitchen cupboards, Metal, Woodwork
SheenMid sheen
DurabilityYes, according to supplier guidance
WashabilityYes, according to supplier guidance
Stain resistanceYes, according to supplier guidance
ApplicationBrush, Roller, Spray
Coverage12-15m2 per litre
Touch dryTouch dry in 2-4 hours
Recoat timeRecoat in 6-8 hours
BaseWater-based
Official manufacturer source

Colour relationships

Build a scheme around Ancient Black

Move from a considered paint palette to close alternatives and wallpaper pairings without leaving the colour story.

A considered palette from Curator

Five deliberate companions, each chosen for a different job in the room.

Light companions Plain & Purl Curator · plain-purl Quiet neutrals Stoney Way Curator · stoney-way Harmonising colours Speckled Wood Curator · speckled-wood Contrast colours Rare Breed Curator · rare-breed Deep anchors On a Clear Night Curator · on-a-clear-night
View full palette

Light companions

High-lightness, low-chroma colours with a compatible undertone.

Light companions Sketchbook Curator · sketchbook Light companions Strawberry Beds Curator · strawberry-beds Light companions Scalloped Silk Curator · scalloped-silk

Quiet neutrals

Muted colours that keep a restrained connection to the source hue.

Quiet neutrals Rarity Curator · rarity Quiet neutrals Dusted Curator · dusted Quiet neutrals Motte & Bailey Curator · motte-bailey

Harmonising colours

Related hues with enough tonal separation to remain distinct.

Harmonising colours Fallow Deer Curator · fallow-deer Harmonising colours Half Barrel Curator · half-barrel Harmonising colours Farrier’s Nail Curator · farriers-nail

Contrast colours

Higher-chroma colours with a stronger perceptual separation.

Contrast colours Tailored Tweed Curator · tailored-tweed Contrast colours Wild Moss Curator · wild-moss Contrast colours Paring Down Curator · paring-down

Deep anchors

Low-lightness, restrained colours that ground the palette.

Deep anchors Six Sods Curator · six-sods Deep anchors Bogland Curator · bogland Deep anchors Berry Ink Curator · berry-ink

Calculated from HEX-derived Lab and RGB data using lightness, chroma, hue separation, ΔE00 and screen contrast. Digital suggestions are a starting point; compare current physical samples in the intended light and finish.

Digital relationships are a starting point. View paint and wallpaper samples together in the intended room and light.

Your room, this colour

Visualise it before you sample

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  2. Select a surface
  3. Apply and compare

Designer Colours support

Need help with this colour?

Compare physical samples, check current product availability or talk through the right finish with our showroom team.

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Professional reference

Technical colour information

Stored digital values, nearest references, methodology and record provenance.

Digital colour values
HEX
#454242
RGB (digital)
69, 66, 66
Lab (digital)
28.26, 1.27, 0.45
HSL (digital)
0, 2.22, 26.47

HEX, RGB, Lab and HSL describe the stored digital representation; they are not measurements of dried paint. LRV appears only when the source record supplies it.

Nearest NCS & Pantone references
Nearest NCS reference (digital)
S 8000-NΔE00 2.51
Nearest stored Pantone (digital)
Pantone Black 7CΔE00 3.94

These are calculated nearest stored digital references, not official manufacturer specifications or exact equivalents.

Colour matching methodology

Relationships use stored colour data and documented CIEDE2000 calculations. Materials, sheen, lighting and application can change the physical result.

Read the full methodology →
Available paint products and finishes

Enhanced Matt, Subtle Sheen, Satin, Eggshell, Gloss

Return to the finish finder ↑
Source, provenance & updates

Maintained by Designer Colours from the stored supplier and colour data shown on this page.

Useful answers

Questions about Ancient Black

What kind of colour is Ancient Black?

Ancient Black is a grey paint colour by Curator with a recorded warm undertone.

Should I sample Ancient Black first?

Screen colours are indicative only. Always sample the colour in your space before making a final selection.

Which finishes are available for Ancient Black?

The current record lists Enhanced Matt, Subtle Sheen, Satin, Eggshell, Gloss. Select what you are painting above, then confirm current colour and product availability before ordering.

Is there an exact NCS or Pantone equivalent for Ancient Black?

Any NCS or Pantone relationship shown here is a nearest stored digital comparison, not an official manufacturer equivalence. Compare physical samples.