This page is part of the International Guidelines for Museum Object Information: The CIDOC Information Categories: a description of the Information Categories that can be used when developing records about the objects in museum collections. For an outline of the Information Groups and Categories in the Guidelines, turn to the introductory list.
Purpose:
Material and technique information supports Security, Access, and an Historic archive. It can be of primary importance in identifying high value, and therefore high risk, objects. It is also a key information area for the research of man made objects.
Information categories:
Material
Technique
Part or
component description
Examples:
Material: cotton
Technique: embroidered
Object part/component: whole
Material:
charcoal
Object part/component: medium
Material: paper
Object
part/component: support
Notes:
Definition:
The Materials used in the creation, decoration, and any subsequent adaptations of the object.
Examples:
gold
chalk
oil
tempera
Notes:
Move to beginning of Material/Technique
Alternate names:
Manufacturing methods
Creation processes
Decorative techniques
Definition:
All processes, methods, and techniques used in the creation of the object.
Examples:
carved
thrown
printed
Notes:
Move to beginning of Material/Technique
Definition:
The Part or component of the object for which the Material or Technique is being described.
Examples:
whole
neck
base
arm
support
medium
Notes:
Move to beginning of Material/Technique
Move to outline of the Information Groups and Categories or the next section of the Guidelines, Measurement
file: guidemat.htm; author: CIDOC; updated June 1995