Title/Brief Description
Required: 2D Objects, 3D Objects, Born Digital. Repeatable.
Definition
The title or name given to an object, or a brief description of the object. This element is essential, even when an object has no given title and can only be given a brief description. It offers a name by which to refer to the object and aids identification.
Types of Title
Preferred and Alternative Titles
All titles by which an object is known should be included in the catalogue record, but a preferred (main title) must be identified. All other titles should be recorded as alternative titles.
Where an object has a Given title, use this as the preferred title.
Where an object has an Inscribed title and no Given title, use this as the preferred title.
Where an object does not have a Given or Inscribed title, the cataloguer should devise a brief description to use as the Descriptive title.
Where the preferred title is a Given title or Inscribed title, ensure a brief description of the object is also included in the record.
Given Title
This is a title for an object, or a collective title for a group of objects, assigned by the creator or another authoritative source.
Inscribed Title
This is a title taken from an inscription, text or caption on the object or group of objects.
If there are multiple options for a title on the object; use cataloguer's judgement to select one as the preferred title. Record the other options as alternative titles if considered necessary.
If an inscribed title taken from the object has notable features, such as being written in mirror writing, or is incorporated into the visual design, a note recording this feature can be added to the record.
Descriptive Title
With a descriptive title, a brief description of the object or group of objects is provided, which can be used for identification purposes. The cataloguer should aim to be concise, making clear to the reader what the what the work is or what its subject is about.
Avoid interpretations, or inferring emotions, themes or allegories without a source. Look for literal representations, if there are no literal representations look for shapes and colour.
For 2D and Born Digital graphic objects this should be a short description of the subject matter of the item. Include, as appropriate, the following types of information:
the subject type or form of material, e.g., view(s), portrait(s), sketch(es)
an identification of the main subject(s) depicted (i.e., names of persons, events, activities, and objects)
geographical location(s) depicted, if known and significant
For 3D objects use a suitable term or phrase to describe the object.
Language of Title
Record the title in it's original language, and original script if that is supported. Record it as the main title. If a translation and/or a transliteration are also present, include these as alternative titles.
Title Source
Record the source of the preferred (main) title used in the catalogue record. Record if the title was provided by the creator, has been taken from the object itself, from previous owners, from supporting documentation, or whether the title is a brief description of the work created by the cataloguer. Where possible select the appropriate text from the list below:
Title provided by the artist.
Title provided by the creator.
The title has been taken from wording on the object.
This work is untitled: the title has been supplied by the cataloguer.
This work is untitled: the title has been taken from acquisition documentation.
Title taken from published source: [example: Catalogue of prints & drawings in the British Museum].
Amending the Preferred Title
If a new title needs to be given where an existing descriptive title is incorrect, insufficient or offensive, retain the existing title as an alternative title in the following layout:
Previous title, replaced DATE (Month Year): Text of previous title
The use of Untitled as a title
When a creator assigns Untitled as the title of an object, this should be used as the preferred title in the record.
Untitled should not be used as a title when an object has no given title.
Related Elements
Detailed visual description
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