11.5 OBJECTS, PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION AREA
11.5A. Preliminary rule
11.5A1. Scope
11.5A2. Punctuation
For instructions on the use of spaces before and after prescribed punctuation, see 1.0C.
Precede this area by a full stop, space, dash, space or start a new paragraph.1
Precede other physical details by a colon.
Separate each part of the description of other physical details by a comma, conjunction, or preposition.
Precede dimensions by a semicolon.
Precede each statement of accompanying material by a plus sign.
Enclose physical details of accompanying material in parentheses.
11.5A3.
In presenting information in the physical description area, follow the instructions set out in 1.5A3-1.5A5.
11.5B. Extent of descriptive unit (including specific material designation)
11.5B1.
At all levels of description, record the extent of the unit being described by giving the number of physical units in arabic numerals followed by the specific material designation. A specific material designation term should be formed as concisely and utilized as consistently as possible2
5 campaign buttons
3 quilts
2 communion tokens
1 sculpture
6 pennants
Optionally, If the parts of the unit being described are very numerous and the exact number cannot be readily ascertained, give an approximate number.
ca. 1,000 badges
Optionally, record the number of containers or volumes, or the linear extent followed by the phrase of objects. If the general material designation is used (see 11.1C), omit the phrase of objects.
3 boxes of objects
2 m of objects
11.5B2.
Optional addition. If a further measure of extent is required, add such information in parentheses after the primary statement of extent.
2 boxes of objects (ca. 500 buttons, 7 medallions)
11.5B3.
When the unit being described contains parts that fall into three or fewer special classes of material, give the physical extent, including the specific material designation, for each special class of material.
2 sculptures. – 4 plaques. – 2 ribbons
Optional addition. If more detail is desired, give a separate and complete physical description for each special class of material.
11.5B4.
When the unit being described contains parts that fall into more than three special classes of material, follow the instructions in 1.5B3.
55 plaques and other material
Note: Also includes 18 badges, 14 medals, 7 medallions and 5 ribbons.
11.5B5. Accruals.
For material described at an aggregate level of description, e.g., an open fonds or series, give the extent including the specific material designation as instructed in 1.5B4. See also 1.8B19.
15 plates
Note: Further accruals are expected
11.5C. Other physical details
11.5C1.
At all levels of description, identify any physical details other than extent or dimensions, if known and considered important. Give other physical details in any appropriate order.
11.5C2. Material.
When appropriate, give the material(s) of which the object is made. If the material(s) cannot be named concisely, either omit the statement or give it in a note.
1 medal : ceramic plated with bronze
1 statue : marble
2 paperweights : glass
1 quilt : cotton
11.5C3. Production method.
If applicable, give here specifications of the process(es) used or method of production, e.g., casting, by which the physical unit(s) being described were created. Give further details regarding the production phase(s) in the scope and content (see 11.7D.).
1 tapestry : wool, machine woven
1 medal : bronze, art cast
11.5C4. Colour.
Give the colour characteristics of the unit being described, as appropriate. Also provide the colour characteristics of supports if considered important. Give col. for multicoloured objects, or name the colour(s) of the object if it is in three or fewer colours. Multiple colours may be described in a note (see 11.8B10). Give b&w for black and white objects.
1 bowl : porcelain, blue and white
1 paperweight : glass, col.
11.5C5. Support.
Give details regarding the support(s) or mounting(s) of the unit being described.
1 sculpture : bronze, on marble stand
1 plaque : cast aluminum, mounted on wood base
1 medal : white metal, loop
1 model : wood and plaster, col., mounted on cardboard
11.5C6. Relief.
Give an indication of the degree of relief (other than incising for lettering or outlines) on the unit being described, if considered important.
1 medallion : cast bronze, bas relief
11.5C7. Shape.
Give the shape if it is unusual for the type of object being described (e.g., give the shape of a medallic object if other than a circle), or if considered important. Describe the shape as concisely as possible. If this is not possible, describe the shape in a note.
1 medal : cast bronze, heart shape
1 medal : aluminium, rectangle
(Note: Consists of five thin rectangular bars which swivel on an off- centre post)
11.5C8. Multiple materials, production, etc.
When multiple materials, production processes, etc., are identified, name each, with the predominant material, process, etc., if any, named first. These terms may be freely combined with the use of conjunctions and prepositions as necessary.
1 medal : cast bronze, struck
When multiple materials, processes, etc., are known to have been applied but are unidentified, or are too numerous to enumerate, use the terms various materials, multiple processes, or other phrase, as appropriate, and give the details in a note (see 11.8B10).
Alternatively, when such details are numerous or complex, give them in a note (see 11.8B10).
11.5D. Dimensions
11.5D1.
Give the dimensions of the physical unit(s) in centimetres or millimetres as appropriate. Give the dimensions in the form height x width x depth. If necessary, add a word to indicate which dimension is being given. The side for height and the sides for width and depth are determined with reference to the position in which the unit(s) of description would be viewed. For circular shapes, give the diameter, followed by the abbreviation in diam. For other shapes, give the dimensions measured at the greatest points, in the form height x width x depth, or major and minor axes, as most appropriate.
1 sculpture : polished bronze ; 110 cm high
1 lithographic stone : 22 x 32 x 5 cm
1 medal : gold ; 50 mm in diam.
11.5D2.
If the object is mounted on a support or held within a special container, etc., give the dimensions of the support or container either after the dimensions of the object or as the only dimensions. Add a word or phrase to indicate the container, support, etc., or to distinguish the dimensions of the object from those of the container, support, etc.
1 medallion : bronze ; 4 cm. in diam. mounted on stand 6 x 6 cm.
1 sculpture : marble ; in case 20 x 10 x 10 cm.
11.5D3. Multiple dimensions in aggregate levels of description.
When material described at an aggregate level of description, e.g., fonds, series, file, consists of physical units of two different sizes, give both. If the material being described consists of physical units of more than two sizes, give the dimensions of the largest unit followed by the words or smaller.
11.5E. Accompanying material
11.5E1.
Give details of accompanying material as instructed in 1.5E1.