Identification of materials

Dates: 12-15 MARCH 2012
Course code: PC1102
Non-residential fee: £381

The ability to identify what an object is made of is fundamental to our understanding of that object. It allows us to gain valuable information on how it was made, its authenticity, its possible date of manufacture and its historic origins. More importantly, it gives an indication of value – both intrinsic and monetary. This course will look at a wide range of materials used in our historic and artistic past, and see how they can be accurately identified using simple, non-costly means. The format of the course will be through lectures, demonstrations and ‘hands-on’ practical sessions.

Theory
The material world and the natural resources used in the making of objects; methods of manufacture and design to form materials into objects; identification methods of the three categories of objects – animal, vegetable and mineral; care and conservation techniques to preserve and maintain the objects, and how to carry out basic cleaning processes and achieve the conditions to maintain them in pristine condition.

Techniques
The aim of the course is to allow participants to see and handle a wide variety of objects made from different materials. They will be encouraged to compare and contrast ‘the real thing’ from fakes, copies and imitations. Participants are encouraged to bring their own objects for discussion.

Course leader: Bob Child