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Categories for the Description of Works of Art


2. Classification


DEFINITION

Placement of a work of art or architecture within a classification scheme that groups other, similar works together on the basis of similar characteristics.

SUBCATEGORIES

GENERAL DISCUSSION

Classification terms or codes are used to place a work of art or architecture in a useful organizational scheme that has been devised by a repository, collector, or other person or entity. Formal classification systems are used to relate a work of art or architecture to broader, narrower, and related objects. Classification terms group similar works together according to varying criteria.

Kinds of classification schemes
This category generally does not include classification strictly by style, period, or subject, since these attributes are accommodated in their own categories. However, some repositories classify their collections by geographic region or period. A classification scheme may be a hierarchy, typology, or informal grouping. For example, with a hierarchically structured classification system based on general classes of objects, connections between the broader term (furniture) and the narrower terms (chairs, tables, or beds) can be made. A classification scheme based on social function might connect all works with a liturgical function, whether or not the object/types are textiles, metalwork, books, or furnishings. The placement of a work within such a scheme implies similarities among works within the logic of the classification.

The same work of art or architecture can be classified in many different ways. For example, a sculpture may be seen as both a carving and a mask; a lithographic poster may be classified as a print or an advertising graphic; a church may be classified as both a religious structure and a public building. The subcategories in this category repeat together as a group.

How a work is classified will often depend on the context within which it is being described. For example, a textile collection may have a much more detailed system for classifying textiles than a history museum does. A textile collection may classify a dress according to its construction, or the materials it incorporates. In a history museum, dress may be supplemented by more generic classifications, such as women's clothing or Ukrainian clothing.

Classification is often used to provide order for collections management. It may correspond to the structure of curatorial departments within a museum, although this is not always the case. Classification in terms of a shelf list or other scheme for noting the physical location of the object is a collections-management concern outside the scope of the CDWA. Classification terminology may be locally developed, such as the Victoria & Albert Museum Classification System [1], or widely available, such as schemes based on the AAT or Revised Nomenclature.

The assignment of classification terms should be based on local guidelines specific to a particular institution. Classification terms should be assigned after an examination of the object, if possible. Alternatively, published or unpublished sources may be consulted.

Cataloging rules
For the subcategories in this section, basic recommendations and discussion are provided below. For a fuller, more prescriptive set of cataloging rules for CLASSIFICATION - TERM, see Chapter 7: Class in Cataloging Cultural Objects (CCO), which deals with a critical subset of the CDWA.

RELATED CATEGORIES and ACCESS

ACCESS

CLASSIFICATION - TERM is a Primary Access Point. It should be accessible in combination with OBJECT/WORK - TYPE and other categories.

Classification on the basis of style or period should be repeated in STYLES/ PERIODS/ GROUPS/ MOVEMENTS. Classification on the basis of subject matter should be repeated in SUBJECT MATTER. Terms that identify the work or its parts should be repeated in OBJECT/WORK - TYPE or OBJECT/WORK - COMPONENTS - TYPE. Often works that do not have titles are known by their CLASSIFICATION - TERM or OBJECT WORK - TYPE; repeat these terms in TITLES OR NAMES. Catalogers may expand on classification based on use in the CONTEXT category.

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2.1. Classification Term

DEFINITION

The term from a classification scheme that has been assigned to a work.

EXAMPLES


architecture
paintings
[Figure 2 and Figure 17]
sculpture [Figure 5 and Figure 11]
graphic arts [Figure 30 and Figure 34]
decorative arts
textiles
costume
tools
furniture
[Figure 13 and Figure 14]
ceramics [Figure 1]
European art
Asian art
Pre-Columbian art




DISCUSSION and GUIDELINES

Required: Record one or more terms designating the broad class into which the work may be organized. If there are multiple classification terms for one work, record them in repeating instances of CLASSIFICATION - TERM. Record a term or terms that relate the work to other works with similar characteristics, including materials, form, shape, function, region of origin, cultural context, or historical or stylistic period, based on the organizational scheme of a particular repository or collection.

Specificity
A Classification term should typically be more general than the specific term recorded in OBJECT/WORK - TYPE. For example, if a work is identified as a chair in OBJECT/WORK - TYPE, it could have a broader CLASSIFICATION of furniture. However, the OBJECT/WORK - TYPE and CLASSIFICATION are sometimes the same. The level of specificity to which a work is classified (for example, whether a spindle-back rocking chair is classified as furniture or chair or rocking chair) will depend on the perspective of the discipline involved and the policy of the individual institution. Determining an appropriate level should be left to the discretion of the institution.

Form and syntax
Generally use the plural form of nouns, since classifications represent groups of similar items (not an individual item; e.g., prints and drawings). When the term refers to a broad type and the plural form is not appropriate, use the singular form (e.g., sculpture, architecture). Use compound concepts when appropriate for your institution's collection; compound concepts are terms composed of multiple concepts (e.g., European paintings). Capitalize the proper names of culture, nationality, period, or style where appropriate (e.g., Pre-Columbian ceramics). For other terms, use lower case. Avoid abbreviations.

Classification terms are drawn from ordered systems of categories or from hierarchically structured thesauri. These terms may be locally defined, developed from common usage within a particular discipline, or developed as a national or international standard.

TERMINOLOGY/FORMAT

Authority or controlled list: Control terminology with the GENERIC CONCEPT AUTHORITY, or devise a more concise controlled list for this subcategory.

Sources of terminology may include the following: AAT (especially Objects facet), ACRL/RBMS Genre Terms, ACRL/RBMS Paper Terms, ACRL/RBMS Printing and Publishing Evidence, Base Mérimée: Lexique, the British Archaeological Thesaurus, ICOM Costume Terms, the Index of Jewish Art, ISO 5127-3: Iconic Documents, ISO 5127-11: Audio-visual Documents, LC Descriptive Terms for Graphic Materials, Moving Image Materials, Revised Nomenclature, Reyniès' Le Mobilier Domestique, Social History and Industrial Classification, Dizionario Terminologico della Suppellettile Ecclesiastica, Objets religieux/Religious objects: Méthode d'analyse et vocabulaire/User's Guide and Terminology, and Tozzer Library Headings.

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2.2. Remarks

DEFINITION

Additional notes or comments pertinent to information in this category..

DISCUSSION and GUIDELINES

Optional: Record a note regarding the Classification of the work. Use consistent syntax and format. For rules regarding writing notes, see DESCRIPTIVE NOTE.

FORMAT/TERMINOLOGY

Free-text: This is not a controlled field. Use consistent syntax and format.

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2.3. Citations

DEFINITION

A reference to a bibliographic source, unpublished document, or individual opinion that provides the basis for the information recorded in this category.

DISCUSSION and GUIDELINES

Optional: Record the source used for image. For a full set of rules for CITATIONS, see RELATED TEXTUAL REFERENCES - CITATIONS.

TERMINOLOGY/FORMAT

Authority: Ideally, this information is controlled by citations in the citations authority; see RELATED TEXTUAL REFERENCES.

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2.3.1. Page

DEFINITION

Page number, volume, date accessed for Web sites, and any other information indicating where in the source the information was found.

DISCUSSION and GUIDELINES

Optional: For a full set of rules for PAGE, see RELATED TEXTUAL REFERENCES - CITATIONS - PAGE.

FORMAT/TERMINOLOGY

Free-text: This is not a controlled field. Use consistent syntax and format.

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EXAMPLES

[the examples below include CLASSIFICATION-TERM from this chapter in addition to subcategories from OBJECT/WORK]

For paintings


Catalog Level: item
Classification: paintings | European art
Object/Work Type: panel painting | predella panel

Catalog Level: item
Classification: paintings | Asian art
Object/Work Type: handscroll


For sculpture


Catalog Level: item
Classification: sculpture | American art
Object/Work Type: statue

Catalog Level: item
Classification:
sculpture | Pre-Columbian art
Object/Work Type:
hacha

Catalog Level: item
Classification: sculpture | Greek and Roman art
Object/Work Type: statue


For works on walls


Catalog Level: item
Classification: paintings | murals | European art
Object/Work Type: fresco

Catalog Level: item
Classification: paintings | Greek and Roman art | architectural art
Object/Work Type mosaic


For works on paper


Catalog Level: item
Classification: prints and drawings | European art
Object/Work Type: preparatory drawing

Catalog Level: item
Classification: photographs American art
Object/Work Type: albumen print

Catalog Level: item
Classification: prints and drawings | European art
Object/Work Type: watercolor




For decorative arts


Catalog Level: item
Classification: decorative arts | Native American art
Object/Work Type: basket

Catalog Level: item
Classification: decorative arts | furniture | Islamic art
Object/Work Type: tabouret

Catalog Level: item
Classification: decorative arts | ceramics | European art | Asian art
Object/Work Type: bowl

Catalog Level: item
Classification: decorative arts | furniture | African art
Object/Work Type: headrest

Catalog Level: item
Classification: decorative arts | costume | jewelry | Asian art
Object/Work Type: crown

Catalog Level: item
Classification: decorative arts | toys | European art | American art
Object/Work Type: doll

Catalog Level: item
Classification: decorative arts | textiles | European art
Object/Work Type: tapestry


For costume


Catalog Level: item
Classification: costume | armor | Greek and Roman art
Object/Work Type: helmet (armor)

Catalog Level: item
Classification: costume | textiles | Asian art
Object/Work Type: coat



For collections, sets, series, and groups


Catalog Level: collection
Classification: photographs | European art
Object/Work Type: cartes-de-visite

Catalog Level: group
Classification: tools and implements | Pre-Columbian art
Object/Work Type: arrowheads | kirk points | netting

Catalog Level: set
Classification: costume | sculpture | African art
Object/Work Type: chi wara

Catalog Level: series
Classification: prints and drawings | Asian art
Object/Work Type: color woodcuts


For sculpture associated with architecture


Catalog Level: item
Classification: sculpture | architecture | Egyptian art
Object/Work Type: colossus

Catalog Level: component
Classification: sculputure | architecture | European art
Object/Work Type: architectural sculpture


For architecture


Catalog Level: item
Classification: architecture | European art
Object/Work Type: observation tower

Catalog Level: item
Classification: architecture | ancient European art
Object/Work Type: standing stones | temple | observatory

Catalog Level: item
Classification: architecture | African art
Object/Work Type: building | complex | ruins


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NOTE: The outline numbers are subject to change; they are intended only to organize this document.

 

Revised 8 September 2008