Iconographic number

This data has not been imported from CALM. Icon numbers can sometimes form part of the archive reference or may need to be added as found on objects.

This data has not been imported from CALM, but icon numbers may exist in the ‘Previous number’ data that has been imported from CALM, to reflect when identifiers have been superseded.

Only update this field with an icon number if it is still in use/associated with the item.

Icon numbers that have been superseded with an archive reference should be recorded in the previous number field if these are omitted in CALM/QB.

Some collections were given an icon number for the overall collection in Sierra (to signpost to the public we held material at Wellcome) before they were later catalogued in CALM to item level. Some collections have been catalogued in both Sierra and CALM, to experiment with cataloguing practice and to aid retrieval processes which can make our approach to audit challenging. Do we audit in the artworks table or the archive table? The answer is we may need to update both data sets and cross refer.

The Rita Simon collection for example was given a single number in Sierra (39227i) for a collection of over 950 artworks. We had some data in Sierra that was suppressed/awaiting deletion but was imported into the artworks table on QB back in 2019.

The collection represented by 39227i in the artworks table and has been cross referenced to material in the archive table. If you look up 39227i in both the artworks and archive table, you will see how these collections/references relate.

N.B. Records in Sierra that related to 39227i were deleted on 10-12-2025 – these will be deleted from the artworks table when we have completed audit of the RS collection in the archive table, and the icon number will be referenced as a previous number. We also need to align QB record deletion protocols with that of those in Sierra/CALM.

Some of the Adamson collection also has a mixture of unique archive reference and icon numbers and is in the process of being catalogued/re-catalogued.

If you are unsure which table to create/update data – check the location table in the first instance. This will typically signpost material to both the artworks and archive table.