Object labelling and inventory numbers

Object labelling connects a particular item with its records. An inventory number identifies it within a register; it does not establish age, authenticity or value. Use the same identifier in the object inventory, photographs and records of moves between rooms or boxes.

Keep the connection without causing damage

Museums choose a marking method according to material, size and condition. Identification should be legible, secure and safe for the object, without obscuring important details. For very small objects or fragile surfaces, labelling an associated container or support may be more suitable than marking the object directly. Do not experiment with marker pens, glue or adhesive labels on an old surface without professional advice.

Historic collectors' labels may have historical value. Photograph them and preserve their association with the item. An accession number can contain the year of acquisition, as the Taft Museum of Art explains in describing its own practice. It must therefore not be interpreted as a manufacturing date without further evidence.

A practical clearance example

For example, a family might assign a vase the number A01 in its list and repeat it on photographs and the labelled box. Update its location whenever it is moved. This is a simple working method, not an official numbering system. Object ID explains the information used to identify an object; the number keeps those records connected to the correct item.

For an estate assessment or clearance, see OBA's estate and site visit services. Keep labels and documentation together until the assessment.