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Analyses of polychromy on stone from previous decades were largely based on the evaluation of pigments analysed with the naked eye or the microscope, with no chemical analyses to substantiate them. Nowadays, analytical chemistry can greatly help in identifying residues of the original colours, i.e. the pigments used. It is known that polychromy has been applied onto stone in all time periods, but well-preserved polychromy on stone is a rarity indeed. The greatest issue concerns antique sculptures, whose polychromy is often invisible to the naked eye and can only be seen with the help of a microscope. The reason for such poor preservation of polychromy lies in the weathering that causes chemical changes in the stone and colour. The application of chemical analyses as used by restoration professionals can help in preserving rare examples of polychromy, preparing credible reconstructions of polychromy on objects and selecting suitable methods of restoration and conservation. The constant development of new methods and techniques, as well as computer and digital technologies and technology in general help to preserve very rare and valuable information, useful for understanding our past. For the purpose of the research, polychromy samples from stone sculptures from several museums in Croatia were analysed. This paper presents the results of the analyses of four antique objects from the Archaeological Museum in Split. The purpose of the research was to make an instrumental analysis of pigments from stone sculptures, and to determine the composition of pigments, the origin and frequency of use of respective materials. There is much one can learn about the time, place and circumstances in which a work of art was produced through analyses and interpretations of often very subtle differences in the composition of pigments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]