We have just completely reviewed and re-worked our data standards for these fields. Our review committee decided to leave the fields blank when there are no marks, etc., but to note it in the Description field as considered appropriate. (The group did not mind conflating 'empty' with 'none', even though it is a missed data capture opportunity.) We are also adding Query terms (a limited term list) in the Attributes field for identifying the kinds of marks, etc., enabling quick, consistent, targeted searches.
Although we have Asian collections, we have not yet grappled with the colophon issue. If anyone is interested in seeing our new standards for these fields, let me know. I'm happy to share.
All the best,
Frances
On Thu, Jan 22, 2015 at 4:00 PM, TMSUSERS automatic digest system <LISTSERV@si-listserv.si.edu> wrote:
There are 5 messages totaling 1269 lines in this issue.
Topics of the day:
1. Markings, Inscribed, and Signed - Leave Blank or Enter None (4)
2. Job Opportunity: User Experience Designer
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Wed, 21 Jan 2015 22:28:50 +0000
From: Brian MacElhose <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Markings, Inscribed, and Signed - Leave Blank or Enter None
Hi All,
Just curious how others handle fields like Markings, Inscribed, and Signed.
When you have reviewed the object and there is no mark, inscription or signature do you:
1. Leave the field empty
2. Enter "None" or "No Marks" or "No Inscriptions" etc.
Thanks,
Brian
_________________________________
BRIAN MACELHOSE
Collections Database Analyst
Office: 214-922-1322 | Fax: 214-969-5913
DMA
Dallas Museum of Art | 1717 N. Harwood St. | Dallas TX 75201
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 21 Jan 2015 17:42:28 -0500
From: Suzanne Stephens <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Re: Markings, Inscribed, and Signed - Leave Blank or Enter None
We enter "none" so that you can feel confident that the object has been examined and you don't have to go back and look at it again to verify that it does not have marks. -Suzanne Stephens
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 22 Jan 2015 09:45:16 -0800
From: Cristina Lichauco <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Re: Markings, Inscribed, and Signed - Leave Blank or Enter None
We only use these fields when the object has a mark, inscription, or
signature/seal (we group these together). The majority of our collection
does not have any of these, so we don't note their absence.
On a related note, for those of you with Asian collections who are using
these fields, where are you noting the existence and/or content of
inscriptions and signatures/seals that appear on colophons? We have been
wrestling with this as we have many works that have inscriptions and
signatures/seals from the artist on the work proper but also additional
inscriptions and signatures/seals from subsequent owners or commentators
on attached colophons.
Cristina Lichauco
Collections Database Administrator
Asian Art Museum
200 Larkin Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 581-3676
CURRENTLY ON VIEW
Roads of Arabia: Archaeology and History of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
October 24, 2014 – Janaury 18, 2015
http://www.asianart.org/exhibitions_index/roads-of-arabia
SEARCH THE COLLECTION:
http://searchcollection.asianart.org/
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 22 Jan 2015 14:34:37 -0500
From: "Maher, Meghan" <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Re: Markings, Inscribed, and Signed - Leave Blank or Enter None
Hi Brian,
Officially, we leave those fields empty if there are no marks or
signatures...although I'm seeing that a past cataloguer did not always
follow this rule and sometimes used <none>. A clean-up project for the
future!
--
Frances Lloyd-Baynes | Content Database Specialist
Minneapolis Institute of Arts
2400 Third Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55404
612-870-3189 | flloyd-baynes@artsmia.org | www.artsmia.org
Minneapolis Institute of Arts
2400 Third Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55404
612-870-3189 | flloyd-baynes@artsmia.org | www.artsmia.org