At the National Museum of African Art, the conservation department works closely with curators and researchers to identify the materials and techniques used to create the diverse objects in the collection. Often, as in the case of a wooden figure, this is a matter of confirming the obvious. The identity of other materials is more difficult to ascertain, especially since descriptions of materials that accompany objects to the museum may be based on unscientific opinions. Within the Smithsonian Institution, there are numerous resources for evaluating and identifying the materials composing the objects. This analysis can enrich the curators' knowledge and understanding of the objects' provenance, dating, and techniques, and contributes to the conservators' ability to make appropriate care and treatment decisions.

Conclusion

In some instances, the identification of materials is possible through scientific analysis; in other cases, the inability to identify materials is significant. In either case, scientific inquiry coupled with curatorial expertise and field research helps to prove or dispel generally accepted assumptions and allows the conservator to determine appropriate care for cultural objects.

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