DEFINITION
A description of the appearance of a work expressed in generic terms, without
reference to the subject depicted. This includes the names of any recognizable
patterns, motifs, or textures used in the decoration of the work.
SUBCATEGORIES
GENERAL
DISCUSSION
The description of the physical appearance of the work should be as objective
as possible. It should not identify the subjects depicted, but rather
describe the work in generic terms. This
category may include a discussion of distinguishing physical characteristics,
such as those that may be necessary to identify the work as distinct from
other works, purely on the basis of its physical appearance. Such a description
is useful for insurance and tracking purposes. This
category may also include a description of patterns and motifs, which
are important for cataloging certain decorative works, including carpets,
other textiles, wallpaper, ceramics, furniture, and architectural elements.
In general terms,
an objective description of physical appearance makes it possible to appreciate
the relationship of applied decoration to form, and of materials to form
and decoration.
RELATED
CATEGORIES and ACCESS
The physical description of a work is a starting point for study; it is
used to identify a work, and as a foundation for its interpretation.
The
materials of which a work was made, and the processes and techniques by
which they were fashioned, should be indicated in the category MATERIALS
AND TECHNIQUES. The manner in which the materials and techniques were
used to create the work should be specified in the category FACTURE. The
physical condition of the work should be indicated in the category CONDITION/
EXAMINATION HISTORY. Any restoration or treatment of the work should be
described in the category CONSERVATION/TREATMENT HISTORY. What is depicted
in or by the work, including iconographical subjects or themes implied
by the motifs, should be specified in the category SUBJECT MATTER.
The
prose description of a work can be indexed in INDEXING TERMS, thus allowing
access to works with similar physical characteristics, for example, all
writing tables with inlaid decoration in an ogee pattern.
13.1. Physical Appearance
DEFINITION
Description
of salient aspects of the physical appearance of the work and its decoration,
including design elements and pattern names.
EXAMPLES
Carpet is kilim type, with smooth, flat surface. Field
is decorated with 15 medallions which are connected by stylized
scrolling vine motif; medallions contain various flowers
and fruit trees with small birds; borders are decorated
with alternating geometric designs and arabesques.
The interior behind the roll top has numerous drawers
that spring open at the pressure of concealed buttons and
levers. In the superstructure behind the large gilt bronze
plaque is a contraption of many parts that moves out and
opens at the turn of a key. It contains a folding reading
stand and side "wings" of compartments with mechanically
opening tops, one of which contains an inkwell and sand
pot, with small drawers below. At the back of the desk is
a removable panel for access to the movement [Figure
13]. [1]
DISCUSSION and GUIDELINES
Optional: Provide a detailed description of
the physical appearance of the work. If this information is
recorded in the DESCRIPTIVE NOTE, it need not be repeated
here.
Form
and syntax
Use sentence case. You may use complete sentences and/or phrases. Begin
the first word of the note with an uppercase letter, and end the note
with a period. Follow rules for standard English grammar (if the record
is in another language, use grammar rules appropriate to that language).
If you quote or paraphrase information from a published source, cite the
source in PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION - CITATIONS.
TERMINOLOGY/FORMAT
Free-text:
This is not a controlled field. Important information in the description
should be indexed in PHYSICAL APPEARANCE - INDEXING TERMS.
13.2. Physical Description
Indexing Terms
DEFINITION
Indexing
terms that characterize the physical description of the work.
EXAMPLES
egg and dart moldings
Greek key pattern
pomegranate pattern
guilloche
coat of arms
griffins
false drawer
rigaree
cut-cardwork
DISCUSSION
and GUIDELINES
Optional: Record indexing terms for the physical
characteristics. Use lower case.
Indexing terms should be assigned on the basis of a direct
observation of the work of art or architecture, or a reliable
description of it from a primary or secondary source; they
should echo the focal points of the prose description provided
in PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION - PHYSICAL APPEARANCE.
TERMINOLOGY/FORMAT
Authority: Control this subcategory with the
GENERIC CONCEPT AUTHORITY, which can be populated with terminology
from the AAT (especially Physical Attributes Facet), ACRL/RBMS
Binding Terms, and Reyniès' Le Mobilier Domestique.
RELATED
CATEGORIES and ACCESS
Indexing terms provide easy access to the physical description of the
work. Assigning keywords or indexing terms to the physical elements of
a work makes it possible to identify particular works and to compare similar
works, such as cabinets with bombé fronts.
Terms
may be searched alone, or in combination with other characteristics of
the work. One scholar may be interested in the use of all over patterns
in the broad sense, while another may wish to find only those works with
a specific pattern, such as powderwork.
13.3. Remarks
DEFINITION
Additional notes or comments pertinent to information in this category..
DISCUSSION and GUIDELINES
Optional: Record a note regarding the physical
characteristics 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.
13.4. 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 sources used for information
in this category. 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.
13.4.1. 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.
EXAMPLES
Physical Appearance: The globe is mounted
on a decorated stand. The stand is painted with polychrome
flowers and red cartouches bearing chinoiserie scenes on
a yellow vernis Martin ground, in a technique for which
the Martin brothers obtained a monopoly in the mid-eighteenth
century [Figure
10].
Physical Appearance: The mosaic contains
a central scene depicting a passage from Vergil's Aeneid.
The scene is surrounded by three areas of border motifs.
The chevron is quite rare; however, the guilloche is standard
and the leaf rinceau is typical of the third and fourth
centuries CE [Figure
26]. [2]
Physical Appearance: Jar with high
waist, short collar-like neck, plain rim, plain base, and
lug handles. [3]
Physical Appearance: Ogee profile
with scrolled acanthus leaves and berries at center and
corners. [4]
Physical Appearance: The Ibn al-Bawwab Koran
is a small volume containing 286 brownish paper folios.
Each text has fifteen lines of round script written with
a straight-cut reed pen to produce letters of uniform thickness.
The brown ink is enhanced with blue and gold.
Physical Appearance: Two quatrefoil medallions
formed by bold paired lancet leaves surrounding four palmettes;
lancet leaves issuing from strapwork bands; reciprocal pale
green and rose color juxtapositions divided by undulating
palmette vinery on border.
Physical Appearance: This great wine cooler...
is supported on four massive volute scroll feet from the
base of which rise beautifully modeled griffin heads. The
size and height of the heads is balanced by two splendid
lions rampant, which act as handles and are also the supporters
of the Cecil arms. [5]
Physical Appearance: Below the adjustable
top, which can be tilted to form a reading stand, there
is a swiveling shelf at either side, on which to stand a
candlestick. On the right there is a drawer fitted with
small compartments for writing materials. A silk work-bag
on a wooden frame can be pulled out at the other side. The
frieze at the front is in the form of a false drawer, with
ring handles. At the back, a fire-screen with a panel of
pleated silk can be drawn up. [6]
NOTE: The outline numbers are subject to change; they are
intended only to organize this document.
Revised 8 September 2008
| 
