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Here are ours, including the guidelines and definitions. We revamped these a few years ago; as you can see, I tend to err on the side of too much explanation, so apologies for the length. Good luck!
Classifications Definition: The placement of an object within a formal scheme that groups works together on the basis of similar characteristics. Classifications organize the collection into general groups and serve as a basic, top-level retrieval for classes of objects. Terms and their definitions reflect the makeup of SLAM’s collections, while referencing standard vocabulary sources.
Options of Classifications fall under three main types:
* those based on function (ex. Architectural Elements)
* those based on technique (ex. Paintings)
* those based on medium (ex. Wood)
Multiple Classification terms may be assigned to each object. In general, an object’s function should be considered the primary distinguishing factor. In cases where multiple classifications are used, the function classification should be listed first.
Classifications
Definition
Examples
Appliances & Electronics
Devices used in a domestic context that facilitate such tasks as food preparation, food storage, cleaning and grooming; objects powered by electricity that perform a specific function
Sintax Coffee Maker
Table Fan
Architectural Elements
Forms, structural or decorative, developed originally or primarily as components of architecture, ether exterior (architraves, stained glass, etc.) or interior (fireplace mantels, paneling, etc.); often adapted to other habitable spaces or borrowed or imitated for structural or decorative use on other objects
Capital Column
House Post
Charlton House (Georgian Room)
Arms & Armor
Protective costume or costume elements, for humans or animals, designed to be worn or carried to protect the body in combat; implements or mechanisms used for defense or attack in combat, hunting or war
Suit of Armor
Shield
Axes
Basketry
Artifacts made by the technique of weaving twigs, rushes, thin strips of wood, or other flexible materials together
Basket with Lid
Carrying Basket
Bone & Shell
Artifacts made of or primarily featuring animal bones, shells, mother-of-pearl, etc.
Oracle Bone
Powder Horn
Books & Manuscripts
Collections of wood or ivory tablets, sheets of paper, parchment or similar material that are blank, written on, or printed, and are strung or bound together; single sheets of paper or parchment that were once bound; hand-written documents; unpublished sets of pages, bound or loose-leaf, with materials affixed to them or writing or other images made on them
Page from an Antiphonal
Ancient Egyptian Papyrus
Babylonian Clay Tablet
Calligraphy
Works composed primarily of beautiful, elegant letters or flourishes that are typically created by hand with a pen, either in unjoined characters or in cursive writing; often the display of Chinese characters or Arabic writing
Hanging Scroll with Calligraphy
Folded Fan with Chinese Poem
Ceramics
Objects made primarily from ceramic material (non-mineral substance such as clay, fired at a high temperature); when possible, cross-classify with the object’s function
Set of 18 tiles
Amphora
Tea Jar
Coins & Currency
Anything in circulation serving as a medium of exchange, payment for goods and services and the settlement of debts, and passes without question or endorsement; pieces of metal stamped by a government authority for use as money
Tetradrachm
Shell Money
1838 U.S. Coin
Collages & Montages
Works produced by the technique of collage (making compositions in two dimensions or very low relief by gluing paper, fabrics, photographs, or other materials onto a flat surface; works produced by the technique of montage (making compositions from portions of existing images, such as drawings or photographs, arranged into somewhat unified images)
Summertime (collage on board)
Peter Wilson, the Auctioneer Owl (postage stamps recombined on paper)
Containers
Objects used to hold substances or other objects; included are containers intended for culinary use, horticultural use, for health care, hygiene, and similar personal needs as well as containers associated with liturgical, funerary, and other ceremonial activities
Wine Cellaret
Zoomorphic Vessel
Punch Bowl
Costume & Clothing
Objects worn or carried for warmth, protection, embellishment, or for symbolic purposes; included are garments considered as main items of dress (shirts, trousers, etc.); also items of protective wear, uniforms, vestments and other ceremonial garments, and any accessories that are carried or worn on the body, such as masks or other headgear
Asante Man’s Wrapper
Zoomorphic Mask
Woman’s Court Robes
Coverings & Hangings
Artifacts, usually flexible, often textiles, used to cover or conceal interior spaces, surfaces, or furnishings, especially for protection, warmth, or embellishment
Pair of Chair Covers
‘Princess Feather’ Quilt
Mejidiye Prayer Carpet
Drawings & Watercolors
Images produced by drawing, which is the application of lines on a surface, often paper, by using a pencil, pen, chalk, or some other tracing instrument to focus on the delineation of form rather than the application of color; two-dimensional works of art, usually on a paper support, to which pigment suspended in water or another binding agent to create an image or design
Study for Mississippi Noah (graphite, charcoal, ink and wash on paper)
Woman in Armchair (graphite on tracing paper)
Enamels
Works created with enamel, an opaque vitreous coating, composed chiefly of quartz, feldspar, clay, soda, and borax, and applied by fusion to surfaces, especially of metal, ceramic, or glass, and which has a glossy appearance upon hardening
Adoration, Scene from the Life of Christ
Ming vase with cloisonné enamel
Fiber Art
Works, generally created after about 1945, that are composed primarily of fibrous materials and are intended as works of art
The Evolving Tapestry: Blue, Sheila Hicks
Frames
Cases or structures that surround or enclose such items as works of art, mirrors, or documents, serving as support, protection, or to call attention, whilst leaving the items visible
largely used for non-artwork frames in storage
Furniture
Objects created to answer the physical requirements and comforts of people in their living and working spaces, such as tables, chairs, beds, desks, wardrobes, bookcases, etc.
Mirror
Side Chair
Writing Desk
Glassware
Visual works made of or primarily of glass, especially (but not limited to) tableware
Vase
Chandelier
Installations
Works dating from the 20th century through to the present, particularly the 1960s and later, that use their exhibition space as part of their design; often created to demand a viewer’s active engagement
‘Taking Pictures’ by Janet Cardiff
Ivories
Objects carved in ivory or from natural substances resembling ivory, such as bone; when possible, cross-classify with the object’s function
Netsuke
Snuff Box
Jades
Sculptures, containers, and other objects and artifacts carved in jade, which is any of several varieties of fine-grained rock composed of jadeite, nephrite, serpentine, or other mineralogically-related materials; when possible, cross-classify with the object’s function
Pendant
Incense Burner
Double-Vase
Jewelry & Personal Accessories
Ornaments such as bracelets, necklaces, and rings, or of precious or semi-precious materials worn or carried on the person for adornment; artifacts carried or worn by an individual for personal use, such as a wallet, purse, fan, parasol, cane or eyeglasses
Bow Fibulae
Bird Pendant
Hair Winding Ornament
Lacquerware
Objects, usually made of thin wood, which have been coated and decorated with lacquer applied in several coats; this dries to a very hard and smooth surface which is durable and waterproof. Lacquerware may be further decorated with pictures, inlaid with shells, mother-of-pearl, metal and other materials, carved, dusted with gold, or given further decorative treatments.
Circular Box
Qalamdan (Pen Box)
Noh Dancer’s Mask
Lighting
Objects, fixed or portable, whose primary purpose is to produce artificial light; artifacts created to provide illumination
Torchere
Oil Lamp
Masks
Coverings for all or part of the face, usually with openings for the eyes and sometimes the mouth; worn to hide or alter the identity of the wearer or for protection; may be associated with religious or cultural ceremonies or with funerary customs, fertility rites or curing sickness; may also be used on festive occasions or to portray characters in performance
Theater Mask
Cartonnage Mummy Mask
Lewa Mask
Medals & Medallions
Objects, usually but not always metal, that bear a relief design on one or both sides and have a commemorative purpose; such objects are not used as money or as a medium of exchange
Medallion: Apollo Belvedere
Anti-Slavery Medallion
Media Arts
Pieces created using applications of process, media, and materials, including photographic, multimedia, videotape, video installations, film and other works created in moving image or image reproduction media
‘World Peace (Received)’ (video discs, monitors, video disc players, remote control)
Government Cut Freestyle (16 mm film transferred to DVD)
Metalwork
Visual works that are the products of working any kind of metal, particularly metal objects of artistic merit. This can also include tableware.
Madonna and Child
Standing Amitabha Buddha
Miniature Paintings
Paintings on a very small scale; often applied specifically to small scenes in illuminated manuscripts or to portraits on vellum or ivory that were popular in Europe and America from the Renaissance into the 19th century
Box Lid, Lady in White Shawl
Colonel Langenam
Mixed Media
Term for works of art made of any combination of a variety of materials, plus the associated techniques
Landscape Study No. 11 (casein on paper)
Fish and Sky (screenprint on gelatin silver print with lenticular offset lithograph)
Models & Maquettes
Scaled representations of objects, structures, beings or other subjects, usually three-dimensional; small, rough, three-dimensional sketches for sculpture
Model of a Rug-Weaving Loom
Maquette for Sculpture Screen at Lambert-Saint Louis Airport Terminal
Musical Instruments
Sound-producing apparatuses whose primary function is to play music
Clarinet
Flute
Harpsichord
Paintings
Unique works in which images are formed by the direct application of pigments suspended in oil, water, egg yolk, molten wax, or other liquid, arranged in masses of color, onto a generally two-dimensional surface
Danaë
Water Lilies
Number 3, 1950
Photographs
Still images produced from radiation-sensitive materials (sensitive to light, electron beams, or nuclear radiation), generally by means of the chemical action of light on a sensitive film, paper, glass or metal; also, still images produced by digital means. Photographs may be positive or negative, opaque or transparent.
Clearing Winter Storm
The Horrors of War
Apollo 11 Moon Landing
Untitled (Woman in Snow)
Posters
Notices, usually decorative or pictorial, intended to be posted to advertise, promote or publicize an activity, cause, product or service; also: decorative, mass-produced prints intended for hanging
Havana Larrañaga Cigars
Exposition Vallauris
What to Eat
Printmaking & Photographic Equipment
Equipment specifically used in the process of making images or text on prints; a broad array of equipment that aids the purpose of capturing images photographically, including cameras, darkroom equipment, and any ancillary objects used specifically to capture and process these images
The Crucifixion (woodblock)
plate for Compositional Study No. III
Prints
Pictorial works, including facsimiles, that were produced by transferring images by means of a matrix such as a plate, block, or screen, using any of the many printing processes, such as engraving, etching, aquatint, lithography, etc.
Jean Pierre Camus
Here is a good one!
The Battle at Gaiping
Recreational Artifacts
Equipment and accessories used in a large array of activities engaged in for personal satisfaction or amusement during leisure time; included are playthings, personal fitness equipment, and other devices used as pastimes or during competitive play
Cribbage Board
Gaming Stone (‘ulumaika)
Doll’s Rocking Chair
Sculpture
Three-dimensional works of art with defined edges and boundaries in which images and forms are produced in relief, in intaglio, or in the round; refers particularly to artworks created by carving or engraving a hard metal, by molding or casting a malleable material (which then hardens), or by assembling parts to create a three-dimensional object
Relief of the Annunciation
Immortal (porcelain figurine)
The Russian Beggar Woman
Stone & Mineral
Objects made of stone (rock which has been cut, shaped, crushed, or otherwise dressed for use in construction or other purposes) or another kind of mineral; when possible, cross-classify with the object’s function
Bowl
Urn
Textiles
Two-dimensional or three-dimensional objects made of textile materials (those produced by weaving, felting, knotting, twining, etc. natural or synthetic fibers so that they cohere into a form or unit; frequently cross-classified with Costumes & Clothing<https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstlart.sharepoint.com%2Fsites%2FDataStandards%2FSitePages%2FOBJ-Classifications.aspx%23costume-clothing&data=05%7C01%7Ctmsusers%40si-listserv.si.edu%7C9684cbe20c4f4a90d37308da7549f4b1%7C989b5e2a14e44efe93b78cdd5fc5d11c%7C0%7C0%7C637951257763150649%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=Bt4PrcrdoGi1t8nn2LsRCX1ZclwTFHS%2FaM7GyHAZqUc%3D&reserved=0>, Coverings & Hangings<https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstlart.sharepoint.com%2Fsites%2FDataStandards%2FSitePages%2FOBJ-Classifications.aspx%23coverings-hangings&data=05%7C01%7Ctmsusers%40si-listserv.si.edu%7C9684cbe20c4f4a90d37308da7549f4b1%7C989b5e2a14e44efe93b78cdd5fc5d11c%7C0%7C0%7C637951257763150649%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=FJZo5t6dMmo%2BlnohQYD3y2W0hmA%2FLEMCOCkox6Y%2FMFM%3D&reserved=0>, or Fiber Arts<https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstlart.sharepoint.com%2Fsites%2FDataStandards%2FSitePages%2FOBJ-Classifications.aspx%23fiber-art&data=05%7C01%7Ctmsusers%40si-listserv.si.edu%7C9684cbe20c4f4a90d37308da7549f4b1%7C989b5e2a14e44efe93b78cdd5fc5d11c%7C0%7C0%7C637951257763150649%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=4bYsMwZke2VgjqQMWfLvE%2FzbBku161en4qRBAaDIUFk%3D&reserved=0>
Handkerchief
Band of Silk
Embroidered Panel
Timepieces & Measuring Devices
Devices for measuring and recording the passage of time; instruments or containers that measure, for example, extent, quantity, capacity, mass or position, in terms of a standard unit or fixed amount
Table Clock
Pocket Sundial and Compass
Planispheric Astrolabe
Tools & Equipment
Objects, especially those hand-held, that are used to process materials and fabricate items, as well as objects associated with activities and disciplines in the construction industry, design professions, the fine and decorative arts, and other aspects of material culture
Pestle
Weaving Comb
Awl-like Tool
Wood
Objects made of the principal tissue of trees and other plants that provides both strength and a means of conducting nutrients for these trees or plants; when possible, cross-classify with the object’s function
Carreta de la Muerte
Malagan Figure
Akan Crown
From: The Museum System (TMS) Users <[log in to unmask]> On Behalf Of Hamutal Gabayev BLMJ
Sent: Wednesday, August 3, 2022 12:38 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Sharing your Classifications value list?
EXTERNAL | This email originated from outside the organization. Please do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
External Email - Exercise Caution
As an archaeological museum, we have the classifications for our specific contents, and they are being used to support topic related queries.
We added the sub-class. Work on Paper when we received a huge donation of, well, works on paper.
Some class. were created way back before TMS, to call up groups for a certain planned exhibition (Magic, Animal, Lighting…), and the staff still find them useful.
I’m sure some cleanup could be done, I could think about dividing Vessel into sub-class. (instead of using Object Name for types of vessels), but all in all we’re pretty happy with the list
(not assigned)
Amulet
Animal
Applique
Archival
Bead
Body Ornament
Book
Clothing
Clothing Ornament
Construction
Cosmetic appliance
Cultic
Cultic figurine
Currency
Ethnography
Figurine
Figurine mold
Finial
Fruit
Funerary
Furniture
Furniture filler
Game
Gem
Idol
Inlay
Inscription
Jewelry
Judaica
Lighting
Magic
Mask
Miniature
Model
Mold
Mosaic
Musical Instrument
Organic material
Ornament
Other
Painting
Plaque
Relief
Religion
Replica
Ritual
Scarab
Scroll
Sculpture
Seal
Seal impression
Seal/weight
Sealing
Stamp
Standard / Scepter
Statue
Statuette
Stele
Textile
Token
Tool
Transport
Utensil
Vessel
Wall painting
Weapon
Weights and measures
Work on Paper
Photograph
Print
Map
Drawing
Book Page
Manuscript
Stereograph
חמוטל גבייב | רשמת
מוזיאון ארצות המקרא ירושלים
Hamutal Gabayev | Registrar
Bible Lands Museum Jerusalem
[T] 972-2-5955329 [E] [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>
שמואל סטפן וייז 21, ירושלים 21 Shmuel Stefan Wise, Jerusalem
From: The Museum System (TMS) Users <[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>> On Behalf Of Chad Petrovay
Sent: Tuesday, August 2, 2022 21:26
To: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Re: Sharing your Classifications value list?
External Email - Exercise Caution
Our values are inherited from our ILS, and utilize
* (not assigned)
* Analytic
* Archival and manuscripts control
* Archival Collection
* Article
* Binding
* Book
* Box or Folder
* Broadside
* Collage
* Component
* Contact Sheet
* Drawing
* Ephemera
* Frame
* Furnishings
* Lantern Slide
* Manuscript
* Manuscript Folio
* Map
* Microform
* Miniature Book
* Music Manuscript
* Music Manuscript in Larger Item
* Object
* Offprint
* Painting
* Periodical
* Photograph
* Print
* Printed Book
* Printed Music
* Recorded Music
* Sculpture
* Seal
* Seal Impression
* Sound Recording
* Textile
* Unpublished
* Visual Material
Most records also have a second classification based on the Library of Congress "Type of Record":
* Language material
* Notated music
* Manuscript notated music
* Cartographic material
* Manuscript cartographic material
* Projected medium
* Nonmusical sound recording
* Musical sound recording
* Two-dimensional nonprojectable graphic
* Kit
* Mixed materials
* Three-dimensional artifact/ecofact
* Manuscript language material
On Tue, Aug 2, 2022 at 11:20 AM Rose Wood <[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>> wrote:
External Email - Exercise Caution
Hi Fatima,
Here is our list with short explanations.
Kind regards,
Rose
On Fri, Jul 29, 2022 at 2:14 PM Mahdi, Fatima <[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>> wrote:
External Email - Exercise Caution
Hello, TMSers!
We are reviewing our "Classification" field list. Would anyone be willing to share their classifications? Has anyone had any issue in searching on or reporting on sub-classifications?
Thank!
Fatima
--
Fatima Mahdi
Collections Information Specialist/TMS
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
200 N. Arthur Ashe Boulevard
Richmond, VA 23220-4007
Tel. 804.340.1443
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Teleworking Tuesdays & Fridays
[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>
I acknowledge that I live and work on the ancestral homelands of the Chickahominy, Pamunkey, Mattaponi, and Upper Mattaponi tribes of central Virginia. I offer my deepest respect for their resilience and continued stewardship of their culture.
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Rose Wood
Chief Registrar
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P: 205.254.2973
Birmingham Museum of Art
2000 Rev. Abraham Woods, Jr. Blvd., Birmingham, Alabama 35203
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