Documenting Your Collections
Info-Muse Network Documentation Guide

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How to measure objects

• Illustration A – Desk
• Illustration B – Armchair
• Illustration C – Sculpture with attached base
• Illustration D – Crucifix with removable base
• Illustration E – Table
• Illustration F – Fish knife
• Illustration G – Silver sanctuary lamp
• Illustration H – Rectangular dish
• Illustration I – Tablecloth
• Illustration J – Print
• Illustration K – Painting in frame
• Illustration L – Round drawing in frame
• Illustration M – Round painting in oval frame with medallions

Dimensions of objects give important information for their physical description. They tell us about their precise size and provide details useful for exhibiting objects or placing them in the storage area, or even packing them for shipment. Rules on how to measure objects can vary from one institution to another, and from one type of collection to another, however, and that is why it is important to put written rules on measurement into place in each institution, to ensure that it is always done consistently. We have drawn up this section to guide you.

General rules

• Always measure dimensions in centimetres, unless the object is too small or too large.
  
  
• Always indicate the maximum dimensions of the object.
  
  
• Be precise and consistent in how you take measurements.

Specific rules

• To identify the measurements to be taken depending on the type of object concerned, you can consult the following table: Identifying measurements required by type of object.
  
  
• Then consult the illustrations accompanying the various examples, to make sure that you understand how to take the measurements.
  
  
• Finally, refer to the descriptions of dimension fields to find out how to use each one.

How to use the table

The table is divided into two parts. The first part presents benchmarks that will help you determine the exact type of object to be measured. These benchmarks correspond to the first three columns in the table, and also appear on each illustrated example page:

• "Configuration" column:
  
  Start by deciding whether it is a two-dimensional or three-dimensional object.
  
  
• "Main side" column:
  
  For a three-dimensional object, determine whether or not it has a main side.
  
  
• "Main axis" column:
  
  Decide whether the usual position of the object is horizontal or vertical. The usual position corresponds to the main axis or the axis of use.

The second part presents examples of objects and the measurements to be taken for each of them, depending on the different combinations of benchmarks:

• "Illustrations" and "Measurements to be taken" columns:
  
  Now you should be able to match up the object to be measured with one of the examples in the table, to determine what measurements to take.

Table - Identifying measurements required by type of object

BENCHMARKS			EXAMPLES
CONFIGURATION	MAIN SIDE	MAIN AXIS	ILLUSTRATIONS	MEASUREMENTS TO TAKE
3D object	Main side	Horizontal axis	Illustration A - Desk	Height Width Depth
		Vertical axis	Illustration B - Armchair
			Illustration C - Sculpture with attached base
			Illustration D - Crucifix with removable base	Height Width Outside Diameter Frame/Pedestal Height Outside Frame/Pedestal Width Outside Frame/Pedestal Depth Outside
	No main side	Horizontal axis	Illustration E - Table	Height Width Length
			Illustration F - Fish knife	Width Length
		Vertical axis	Illustration G - Silver sanctuary lamp	Height Outside Diameter Weight
			Illustration H - Rectangular dish	Height Width Length Depth Thickness Dimension/Weight Remarks
2D object		Horizontal axis	Illustration I - Tablecloth	Width Length
		Vertical axis	Illustration J - Print	Height Width Image Height Image Width
			Illustration K - Painting in frame	Height Width Frame/Pedestal Height Outside Frame/Pedestal Width Outside Frame/Pedestal Depth Outside
			Illustration L - Round drawing in frame	Outside Diameter Frame/Pedestal Depth Outside Frame/Pedestal Outside Diameter
			Illustration M - Round painting in oval frame with medallions	Outside Diameter Frame/Pedestal Height Outside Frame/Pedestal Width Outside Dimension/Weight Remarks