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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
NOTE: The outline numbers are subject to change; they are
intended only to organize this document.
Revised 8 September 2008
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