Notice(s)
  • Given the situation surrounding COVID-19, the Canadian Heritage Information Network is no longer able to follow up on the requests that will be submitted until further notice. Upon resumption of regular CHIN activities, we will be able to follow up on requests received. CHIN would like to thank you for your understanding.

TECHNIQUE - Humanities

Field label
TECHNIQUE
Field mnemonic
MT
Field name
  • Technique
  • Technique de fabrication
Field definition
This field lists, from most to least predominant the processes, methods or techniques used to create the object.
Status
Strongly recommended for uploading to Artefacts Canada.
Heading
DESCRIPTIVE FIELDS
Comments
Edits were made to this field in May 2010. Data entry rules were made more precise, and harmonized with those recommended in Cataloging Cultural Objects: A Guide to Describing Cultural Works and Their Images. By Murtha Baca, Patricia Harpring, Elisa Lanzi, Linda McRae, and Ann Whiteside. Visual Resources Association. Chicago: American Library Association, 2006. Website: http://www.vrafoundation.org/ccoweb/index.htm (accessed 2010-03-05).
Entry rules
Enter the techniques from the most predominant to the least predominant. Multiple entries are allowed. Terms should be as specific as possible and in a past participle form. Do not use abbreviations. Use lowercase except where the technique is distinguished by a proper noun. Use terminology in the language of the catalogue record. Include the appropriate diacritical marks. Use natural word order. Uncertain data should be followed by space and "?".
Cataloguers rules
The field should be used in conjunction with the Material field (MA) for a three-dimensional item such as a sculpture, historical object or ethnographic artifact. For a two-dimensional item such as a painting, print or photograph use the Medium (MED) and Support (SUP) fields. The Technique field (MT) may be used for outstanding or unique entries. See also the Decorative Technique (DT) field.
Data type
alpha-numeric string
Reference
Ewing, Calum. 1992. Standards for the Use of the Material, Technique, and Related Fields in the CHIN Humanities Databases. Manuscript. Canadian Heritage Information Network, Ottawa.
Examples
  • carved
  • painted
  • woven
  • appliquéd
  • hand blown
  • pressed
  • embossed
  • sculpté
  • doré
  • polychromie
  • tissé
  • appliqué
  • ajouré
  • dentelé
  • soufflé
  • pressé
  • repoussé
  • niellé ?
  • à l'emporte-pièce
Authority list
• Art & Architecture Thesaurus (AAT). J. Paul Getty Trust. Website: http://www.getty.edu/research/conducting_research/vocabularies/aat (accessed 2010-03-05). The Techniques Hierarchy is especially relevant to the Technique field. • Ewing, Calum. 1992. Standards for the Use of the Material, Technique and Related Fields in the CHIN Humanities Databases. Ottawa, Canadian Heritage Information Network. • Ministère de la culture et de la communication de France, Base de données Joconde, Vocabulaires scientifiques pour la description des collections. Website: http://www.culture.gouv.fr/documentation/joconde/fr/partenaires/AIDEMUSEES/telechargement.htm (accessed 2010-03-05). List technique – matériaux is the most relevant for this field. • British Museum Materials Thesaurus. Website: http://www.mda.org.uk/bmmat/matintro.htm (accessed 2010-03-05).
Discipline
  • Multidiscipline
Source
  • Archaeology (Specimens) Task Force
  • Ethnology Task Force
  • Cataloging Cultural Objects: A Guide to Describing Cultural Works and Their Images. By Murtha Baca, Patricia Harpring, Elisa Lanzi, Linda McRae, and Ann Whiteside. Visual Resources Association. Chicago: American Library Association, 2006. Pages 121-134. Website: http://www.vraweb.org/ccoweb/cco/about.html (accessed 2013-10-28).
Field label (French)
TECHNIQUE DE FABRICATION
Field mnemonic (French)
TF

Contact information for this web page
Report a problem on this page
Date modified: