Saving Your Treasures: Native American Items

Types of Objects

NATIVE AMERICAN ITEMS

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Native American (or ethnographic) objects can be made of many different materials, including leather, bone, glass beads, textiles, wood, metals, stone, etc. They are very complex and often very reactive to their environment. Owners should be careful when handling these materials as many historic objects of this nature have been treated with harmful pesticides in the past. Wear gloves when handling these items and wash your hands frequently. These objects are cared for by objects conservators.

If you have any questions, ask a conservator.

Preserving Native American Artifacts

Plastics in Museum Collections

Plastics: Chemistry

Plastics: Properties & Technology

Plastics: History	Plastics: Deterioration	Plastics: Preventative Care
Plant Materials: Structure	Plant Materials: Chemistry	Plant Materials: Technology

Plant Materials: Deterioration - Environmental & Mechanical

Plant Materials: Deterioration - Chemical & Biological

Plant Materials: Preventative Care

Plant Materials: Integrated Pest Management

Animal Materials: Skin & Leather

Animal Materials: Hair, Hooves, Etc.

Animal Materials: Bones, Shells, Etc.

Animal Materials: Deterioration

Animal Materials: Preventative Care

TYPES OF OBJECTS