Organic

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Organic materials are made from living things. Aristotle divided living things between plants, which generally do not move or have sensory organs, and animals. Later these became known as the Kingdoms Plantae and Animalia. If the source is a plant, the primary constituent is cellulose. If the source is an animal, the primary constituent is a protein. Cellulosic and proteinaceous materials represent the complete range of organic materials found in our museums.

1. Plant-based (Cellulosic)

a. Wood

i. bark

ii. bark cloth (Tapa)

b. Baskets

i. bark

ii. grass

iii. split wood

iv. root

v. leaf

a. corn husk bags

c. Cellulosic Textile

i. cotton

ii. linen

d. Other Fibers

e. Plastic (Polymers and Elastomers)

i. Polymeric Textiles

a. nylon

b. polyester

c. polyethylene (polarfleece?)

ii. Rubber

iii. PVC

iv. Polyethylene

v. Polypropylene

vi. Polycarbonate

vii. PET

viii. Bakelite

f. Non-cellular natural organic materials

i. amber and other resins

ii. wax,

iii. coal and jet,

iv.latex,

v. pitch,

vi. Urushi lacquer

2. Animal-based

a. Proteinaceous

i.Leather and Skin

a. Rawhide

b. Parchment

c. Gut

d. Semi-tanned (alum tawed)

e. Fully Tanned (tanins)

f. Chrome and other Metal Tans

b. Keritanaceous

i. Fur and Hair

ii. Proteinaceous Textile (wool,silk)

iii. Baleen

iv. Feathers and Quills

v. Tortoise Shell

c. Teeth, Ivory

d. Bone, Antler

e. Shell (calcareous-based)