Materiality Studies

Formal analysis

Look closely at objects rather than reproductions. Describe decisions made by the object's maker. Learn about techniques and styles.

Scientific analysis

Learn techniques involved in the scientific analysis of cultural objects.

Materiality studies is an interdisciplinary area of research based on the study of objects and their relationship to and in social life. Special Collections supports cross-disciplinary research into objects, art, books, manuscripts, and archives housed at Bryn Mawr College, including investigations into the relationships and lives of material in the collections.