* Boxes: Usually simple, readily available wooden boxes, often from the kind used for storing things like shoes or cigars.
* Glass: He frequently incorporated glass panes, often in the form of the box's lid or as internal dividers within the box.
* Photographs: He extensively used vintage photographs, often from magazines or other printed media, which often formed the central theme of his works.
* Natural objects: These could include shells, pebbles, feathers, twigs, and other items found in nature.
* Toys and trinkets: Small toys, buttons, small mechanical items, and other similar objects were frequently incorporated.
* Fabric scraps: Pieces of fabric or lace often appear as accents.
* Paper ephemera: Bits of printed materials, tickets, labels, and other paper objects often contributed to the narrative or texture of the piece.
While he used a variety of these materials, Cornell's genius lay in his curation and arrangement, transforming mundane objects into poetic and evocative works of art. He didn't typically paint or heavily alter the objects themselves; instead, his artistry resided in the careful selection and placement of his found materials.