What is polychrome metal?

Polychrome simply means having many colors (as opposed to monochrome).
Polychrome metal is metal which has a decorative finish applied to it,
causing it to be multicolored. An example would be metal jewelery
shaped like a flower with the petals and leaves finished in pink and
green.

Photo of a polychrome metal item at Ruby Lane
http://www.rubylane.com/shops/ladywoodlane/item/370

The Old-House Journal Online discusses polychroming antique radiators.
http://www.oldhousejournal.com/magazine/2003/february/bronze_beauties.shtm

"The aesthetically daring or artistically inclined might even try
bronze polychroming. Radiator companies of the past suggested going
over the raised ornament on an already bronzed radiator with a stiff
brush and complementary bronze in the following combinations:

    * Copper ornament on silver body
    * Silver ornament on copper body
    * Gold ornament on copper body
    * Gold ornament on blue-green body"


A Google Search for "polychrome metal" or polychroming metal 
offers a number of examples of items made using this technique. The
methods of polychroming and resulting effects are quite varied.

- Hammer

Thank you.  I should have thought of that--polychrome as opposed to
monochrome, but I somehow got  the idea that it was a technique as
opposed to a description.  Thanks for the quick response!