Materials glossary

Materials glossary

Use this Materials Glossary for a comprehensive list of recommended terms for use in the Materials field in the Victorian Collections CMS. Please note that you are encouraged to select from the glossary to power search filters for our public users; however, you may also enter a custom term in this field. Get in touch via the Victorian Collections support portal to suggest additional glossary value.

Acid
Acrylic
Acrylic Paint
Adobe
Alabaster
Alloy
Alum
Aluminium
Amber
Ammonia
Asbestos
Bakelite
Balsa Wood
Bamboo
Bark
Barkcloth
Basalt
Beechwood
Birch
Blackwood
Boxwood
Brass
Brick
Bristle
Britannia Metal
Bronze
Calico
Cambric
Cane
Canvas
Carbon
Cardboard
Cast Iron
Cedar
Cellophane
Cellulose Acetate
Cellulose Nitrate
Cement
Ceramic
Chalk
Chambray
Chamois
Charcoal
Chemical
Chiffon
China
Chintz
Chipboard
Chrome
Chromium Steel
Clay
Coal
Coated Paper
Concrete
Copper
Coral
Corduroy
Cork
Corrugated Iron
Crayon
Crepe
Crepe de Chine
Crystal
Damask
Diamond
Down
Ebonite
Ebony 
Emulsion
Enamel
Fat
Felt
Fibre
Fibreboard
Fibreglass
Film
Foam
Foil
Formica
Gauze
Gelatin
Gesso
Glass
Glaze
Glycerine
Gouache
Gold
Gold Leaf
Gold Plate
Granite
Graphite
Grass
Gum
Hair
Hardboard
Hemp
Hessian
Hide
Horn
Horsehair
Huon Pine
Iron
Ivory
Jade
Japan
Jarrah
Jute
Kapok
Lace
Lacquer
Lamé
Lampas
Lead
Leaf
Leatherette
Lignum Vitae
Linen
Linoleum
Lurex
Magnet
Magnetic Tape
Mahogany
Maple
Marble
Masonite
Mercury
Methylated Spirits
Mica
Microfilm
Mixed Media
Moire
Moquette
Morocco
Mortar
Mother of Pearl
Mulga
Muslin
Newspaper
Nickel
Nickel Plate
Nickel Silver
Nylon
Oak
Ochre
Oil Paint
Onion Skin
Opal
Organza
Ormolu
Paint
Pampas Grass
Paper
Papier Mâché
Papyrus
Parchment
Particle Board
Paste
Pastel
Pearl
Pencil
Perspex
Petersham
Pewter
Pigment
Pine
Pipe Clay
Pitch
Plant Fibre
Plaster
Plaster of Paris
Plastic 
Plasticine
Plasticizer
Plywood
Polyester
Polyethylene
Polypropolene
Polystyrene
Polyvinyl Chloride
Poplin
Porcelain
Pumice
Putty
Quartz
Quartzite
Raffia
Rattan
Rayon
Reed
Resin
Ribbon
Rock
Rolled Gold
Rosewood
Rubber
Ruby
Rush
Sandalwood
Sandstone
Sapphire
Satin
Satinwood
Sennit
Sequin
Serge
Sheepskin
Sheffield Plate
Shell
Shellac
Silk
Silver
Silver Plate
Size
Skin
Slate
Slip
Soapstone
Solder
Stain
Stainless Steel
Steel
Stick
Stone
Straw
String
Suede
Taffeta
Tapa
Teak
Tempera
Terracotta
Tin
Tissue Paper
Topaz
Tortoiseshell
Towelling
Tulle
Tungsten
Turquoise
Tusk
Tweed
Twill
Twine
Varnish
Vegetable Ivory
Velcro
Vellum
Velour
Velvet
Veneer
Vinyl
Voile
Vulcanite
Wallpaper
Walnut
Watercolour
Wax
Whale Bone
White Metal
Wool
Worsted
Wrought Iron
Zinc





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