A computer-implemented method queries a database that comprises modeled objects. Each modeled object represents a physical attribute of a respective real object. The database comprises for each modeled object, a respective simplicial complex. The method comprises providing a query that includes a signature criterion, and returning, as results of the query, respective modeled objects of the database. The respective modeled object is returned based on an extent to which the respective modeled object has a respective simplicial complex that respects the signature criterion. Such method system improves the field of searching modeled objects in a database.