Objects
An object's record holds all the details about a collection object. This includes images, documents and connections to people, collections and exhibitions.
Record an object shows how to record a new object from your material, such as a purchase email, a PDF or a catalogue. You can add the inventory number later. Your institution decides which other fields are required.
A saved object has three areas:
| Area | What you do there |
|---|---|
| Object data | Describe the title, maker, date, material, dimensions and other details. |
| Collection management | Maintain provenance, location, condition, loans and requirements. |
| Connections | Connect collections, lists, exhibitions, people, objects and sources. |
The "With the Assistant" boxes show how to give the same task to the Assistant. Each time, paste the link to the object.
Find an existing object
- Open Objects.
- Search for part of the title, for the maker or for the inventory number, if there is one.
- If there are many results, narrow the search with Filters and choose Apply filters.
- Open the entry and compare the title, image and description.
The List view makes it easier to compare details; in the Grid view you recognize objects by their image. If you find nothing, remove the filters and try a different spelling or an older title.
Find your way around a record
The overview shows the object data, images and connections. Use the areas to open sources, documents, collections or the exhibition history. Clicking a linked name opens that person's record. Under History you see how the details about the object have changed.
Correct or add details
- In the object, choose Edit or the pencil icon (Edit record).
- Change the fields and choose Save changes.
What belongs in which field is explained under Object data.
Cancel only discards what you have not yet saved in this edit. What you do in other areas, such as adding a new connection, is saved separately.
If CONTXT reports that only some of the changes were saved, that part stays saved. Retry completes the remaining steps. Discard remaining changes discards only what has not been saved yet.
If a new object shows the notice Creation in progress, choose Retry. Do not record the object a second time.
Add images and documents
Add images in the Images section and documents such as inventory cards or condition reports in the Documents section. You can do this when you create the object or later.
Give images a caption and documents a title that says something, such as "Back with inventory label" instead of the camera's file name. If you have several images, set the primary image where CONTXT offers this.
Check the Access setting. Whether a file may be used internally and whether it is publicly visible are decided separately. Publishing happens through Channels.
Cite sources and literature
An attached document does not yet show which detail it supports. So record the exact place, for example the page and catalogue number in the catalogue or the section of a web page.
- Open the Sources or Literature area and choose Add literature.
- Search for the publication under Search the shared bibliography. Choose the result and then Add reference.
- If you cannot find the publication, choose New reference and enter the citation. You can also attach a link or a file.
- For a new reference, open More details. Enter the locator, such as "p. 42, cat. 17", and the relation, such as Literature or Catalogue raisonné.
- Choose Create reference.
If two sources contradict each other, it must remain clear which detail you decided on. The Assistant can prepare a proposal for this, which you review.
Add to a collection or exhibition
You use the existing object. There is no need for a second object record.
- In the object register, select one or more objects.
- Choose Add to… and then Collection or Exhibition.
- Find the collection or the exhibition showing and choose Add.
An object being assigned to an exhibition does not yet mean that transport, condition or availability are settled. More on this under Exhibitions.
Maintain the holdings over time
Filters such as "Missing image", "Missing date" or "Missing inventory number" find entries where something is missing. Work on a small selection at a time and check it before you continue.
If you change details that are already published, also look at the visitor view. A published channel shows the current approved details. A correction can therefore become visible there immediately.
Review proposed corrections under Change requests.