Nomenclature for Museum Cataloguing
Nomenclature:
Nomenclature is a tool for cataloguing museum collections; it provides a structured and controlled list of
terms organized in a classification system. Nomenclature was developed to facilitate the sharing of
collection data. Terms in Nomenclature are indexed in two waysAlphabetically and hierarchically according to artefact categories and classification.
Every man-made object was created for an original intended function; the one way in which the object
intended to mediate between humans and their environment.
There are three ways that objects mediate:
1. They shelter us from the environment
2. They act on the environment
3. They comment of the environment
These three divisions can be described as:
1. Shelter
2. Tools & Equipment
3. Communication
Using these divisions as a frame work, Categories related to each division were created within
Nomenclature.
Category:
Categories are the largest division of the Nomenclature hierarchical system. Categories are directly
related to the three main divisions of Shelter, Tools & Equipment, and Communication. In total, there are
ten categories found within Nomenclature
Under the division of shelter there are three categories:
Category 1: Structures
Category 2: Building Furnishings
Category 3: Personal Artefacts
Under the division of Tools & Equipment there are four categories:
Category 4: Tools & Equipment for Materials
Category 5: Tools & Equipment for Science & Technology
Category 6: Tools & Equipment for Communication
Category 7: Distribution & Transportation Artifacts
Under the division of Communication there are two Categories:
Category 8: Communication Artefacts
Category 9: Recreational Artefacts
Category 10: Unclassifiable Artefacts
This category is used when artefacts that were created for a specific purpose cannot be identified at the
time the object is catalogued.
Every attempt should be made to uncover an object term that falls within one of the first 9 categories.
Classification:
Within each of the ten categories there are a series of divisions called Classifications. Classifications are
intended to divide all man-made objects into logically similar groups.
Object Terms:
Object terms are the specific terms used to identify the object. Object terms are generic identifiers that
indicate an artefacts original intended function.
Object terms are associated with particular classifications because the objects are normally used for the
activities that fall within that classification
Note: Common names are not used as object terms and they do not reference secondary data.
For example:
a “silver teaspoon” has the object term TEASPOON
a “Stanley plane” the object term PLANE, MOLDING
Object names (common names) can be noted on both the artefacts catalogue sheet as well as the
artefact record in Past Perfect.
Object terms in Nomenclature are entered in their inverted form.
The noun of an object term is placed first, followed by a comma, followed by a modifying word or
phrase.
Example: Heater, Oil
There are a few exceptions to this rule, like CHEST OF DRAWERS, which would make no sense if inverted
This object requires a Category, Classification and Object Term
What would you call this object?
First, check the alphabetical listing at the back of the book for “Telephone”
The listing at the back notes:
TELEPHONE…Telecommunication T&E…Page 182
From this we conclude that

TELEPHONE is the Object Term,

Telecommunication T&E is the classification

Reference Page 182 for the category
To find out the Category for the object turn to Page 182
Object Term: TELEPHONE
Classification: Telecommunications T&E
Category: Tools & Equipment for Communication
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Additional Information in Word List :
Preferred terms in Nomenclature will be given in all uppercase letters, CARRIAGE, CLOCK.
When non-preferred terms are listed in the lexicon, they are given upper and lower case letters are
preferred terms are listed
Example:
Holder, Spoon
use SPOONER
Non-preferred terms are listed in instances where there might be ambiguity, common errors in word
sequence, on when cataloguers are likely to need assistance
rt- used to indicate a related term. Related terms identify similar, but not identical, objects, or they refer
to objects that might be confused with one another. Both object terms identified as being related are
preferred object terms
Example:
Category 3: Personal Artefacts
Toilet Article
DART, HAIR...rt HAIRPIN
Example:
Category 4: Tools & Equipment for Materials
Food Processing T&E
MILL…rt GRINDER
Use- is used along with a non-preferred term to indicate what the preferred term should be.
Example:
Category 4: Tools & Equipment For Materials
Woodworking T&E
Adz, Hammer… use ADZ, HAMMER
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Modifying Object Terms:
Toys:
Often toys are representative versions of things normally used in human activity. They should be given
object terms that identify them correctly, but they would be classified as “toy” rather than as whatever
classification the object term is usually associated with.
For a child’s highchair, use HIGHCHAIR and “Furniture”
For a toy highchair, use HIGHCHAIR and “Toy”
For a bathtub, use BATHTUB and “Plumbing Fixture”
For a toy bathtub, use BATHTUB and “Toy”
Souvenirs:
Almost anything can be created or collected as a souvenir. For the purposes of cataloguing, those things
that were created to serve as souvenirs or mementos should be given an appropriate object name, but
they should be classified as “Documentary Artefacts” because their purpose was primarily to record an
event. Those objects that were collected as mementos should be given terms and classifications that
reflect their original purpose.
For a plate produced as a souvenir of a Royal Coronation use:
PLATE and “Documentary Artefacts”:
For a plate used on a plane and taken as a souvenir, use:
PLATE and “Food Service”
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Conclusion:
The Revised Nomenclature for Museum Cataloguing is an easy to use resource to classify man-made
objects. If you find you have additional questions, please refer to the chapters listed below
Chapter 1 : explains the reasons behind Nomenclature
Chapter 2 : provides insight on using Nomenclature
Chapter 3 : defines Nomenclature classifications
Chapter 4 : hierarchal list of preferred terms
Chapter 5 : alphabetical list of preferred terms