Description
Book SynopsisBased on the rich museum collections of Harvard University, Tangible Things challenges rigid distinctions between history, anthropology, science, and the arts. Through 20 entertaining and inspiring case studies it demonstrates that almost any material thing, when examined closely, can be a link between present and past.
Trade Review[A] rich resource for 'Making History through Objects'... [D]emonstrates the benefits of intra-institutional collaboration and is dedicated to the 'people who care for and preserve tangible things: museum curators, conservators, conservation scientists, collection managers, registrars, administrators, and volunteers'... They have done an excellent job of contextualisation, translating material evidence into text and image. * Dinah Eastop, Textile History *
Table of Contents[tentative] ; Preface ; Introduction: Thinking with Things ; Chapter 1: Things in Place ; 1. Natural History ; Say it with Flowers: An Orchid Specimen and a Watercolor Drawing ; 2. Archaeology and Anthropology ; A Surface Find in the Semitic Museum: A Roman Four-Handled Glass Jar ; 3. Books and Manuscripts ; Plato from the Sharp-Nosed Trash ; 4. Art ; Set in Stone: A Limestone Mold for Casting Openwork Ornaments ; 5. Science and Medicine ; Political Chemistry ; 6. History ; A Knockabout Dress ; Chapter 2: Things Unplaced ; Memorandums of a Cottage ; An Enchanted Galapagos Tortoise Shell Marked <"Ship Abigail>" ; Pointing Fingers: A Carved Spoon, Human Hand ; An Errant Tortilla ; Exotic Opulence: An Iridescent Beetle Ornament ; Tracking Blondie: Blondie Goes to Leisureland ; Chapter 3: Things Out of Place ; A Palette and the Psychology of Vision ; A Blue Bird ; Plows and Swords: The Artemas Ward Plow in the Semitic Museum ; Nature or Culture? A Carved Helmeted Hornbill Skull ; Chapter 4: Things in Stories-Stories in Things ; Objects as Portals ; The Message ; Transits of Venus ; Changing Stories about American Indians ; Appendix: Glossary of Harvard Collections ; Photo Essay: Unexpected Discoveries: the Joy of Object Photography
