Numerous materials are used singly or in combination to make decorative art. Focuses on the care and preservation of ceramics and glass objects, with a brief review of the special needs of several of the other materials. Three groups of ceramics are considered, roughly defined by degree of porosity: 1) unfired clay; 2) earthenware or terracotta; and 3) stoneware and porcelain. Describes the two types of china, soft-paste or low-fired and hard-paste or high-fired, true porcelain. Enamels are also considered. Topics include the environment, handling and moving, storage, display, maintenance and conservation, and special problems. An additional discussion of other materials covers the care of objects made of ivory, bone, tortoiseshell, horn and baleen, cellulose nitrate, mother-of-pearl, and wax.