Bice

Bice (Ger. Bcis, Ital. Biadetto), the name of two pigments of a blue and green colour respectively, known to artists from the earliest times—blue bice as mountain blue, ongaro, azzurro di terra, &c.; and green bice as chrysocolla, Hungarian green, verde de Miniera, verde de Spagna, verdctto, &c. These pigments consist of a natural clay mixed with yellow ochre, the blue and green colours being due to native carbonate of copper. Bice has not much body, but dries well with oil. There are several artificial varieties, which, however, are not so durable as the natural. Although a favourite with artists in the beginning of the 19th century, its use is dying out, so that it no longer appears in colour catalogues, its place being taken by 'Hooper's Green.'