Creating Condition Reports during PSRP4 Move.pdf

1.

2.

Creating Condition Reports during PSRP4

DRAFT

Creating Condition records Condition Narrative

Examining the object Creating the narrative

Example Narrative #1: Fair Example Narrative #2: Good Example Narrative #3: No change in condition Common damage types Material specific damage

A “condition report” tells you the condition of an object on a specific date. The report is used to examine an object and look at its stability, any damage to the object, and any inherent concerns. The condition report is used to document the change in the condition of a piece over time and determine if the object needs attention from our conservation team.

Creating Condition records

Navigate to the object record. From the toolbar, select Activities Condition.

This will open the Condition Activity. . The bottom half of the screen is the activity record. If present, the This does not create an activity record most current condition record will appear in the bottom half of the screen. The top half of the screen is displaying data from the object record.

Review any existing Condition records in the bottom half of the screen and determine if the condition has changed since the last entry. Review existing Condition Narrative and Note.

Create a new Condition record by clicking into the of the screen and select from the toolbar , or press F6.lower half Record Create Record

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

1.

2.

3.

Click into the Condition field. Press to open the pop-up list and click on a term.F9

To select multiple terms, click the first term, hold down Ctrl, then select any additional terms. Click Ok, when finished.

If you are only surveying one component of a multi-part object, press F9 to open the pop-up list and select the Component/Accessory:

component.

Condition Narrative: Write a narrative description of the object’s overall condition. Follow the guidelines listed in section of Condition Narrative this guide.

If a prior condition narrative exists and no change in condition has occurred, use the following language: No change in condition since condition report by (USERNAME) on (YYYY-MM-DD).

Only use this field if you need to record something about the object’s condition that does not belong in any other fields.Note:

Condition Narrative

Examining the object

Determine if you can use a grid system to describe the damage or where your starting point will be.

Use terms like proper left, upper left, or if there is a common term “reverse,” “posterior.”

Make sure someone else can determine your starting point.

Note

Condition Date, Examined by, and Purpose will auto-fill.

Note

Component must in listed under Item Count of the object record to appear on this pop-up list.

Important

If you have any doubts on the stability of the object, contact a museum collections specialist before handling it.

3.

4.

5.

Select a current overall condition term:

Term Definition

Excellent Like new, no visible damage

Good Minor damage, stable, can easily be handled or displayed

Fair Minor to moderate damage but there are some issues with the piece that may prevent it from being handled or displayed

Poor Unstable condition and needs to be reviewed by conservation or considered for deaccession.

Use common terms and “landmarks” to describe where the damage is located on an object.

Creating the narrative

Begin by providing a single word to summarize the condition, then continue to describe the overall appearance and condition leaving specific detail until last.

If you are uncertain about the cause of damage, make this clear by using terms such as ‘possibly’, ‘could be’, ‘may be’ to convey what you think is happening without confusing issues. It is useful to document what you think caused the damage and whether it appears to be active or not.

Example Narrative #1: Fair

Fair, generally dusty with some accretions of dirt overall. Some of the case wood has begun to lift on the lower right edge of the front of the case, and there are some losses along the trim at the bottom of the case along all sides. The top of the case has some losses in the veneer. The removable door panel appears to have some possible warping due to previous water exposure or changes in relative humidity.

Example Narrative #2: Good

Good, thin layer of surface dirt and grime has accumulated on the surface of the chair. The leather head cushions have some discoloration but, appear intact. The hardware supporting the head cushion has reddish-brown corrosion and pitting in the surface of the metal. The metal seat frame has scratches and dents overall. Some of the white/cream paint has chipped off exposing the base layer possibly from use. The seat cushion has some tears, potential losses, and fraying along the seam and bottom center edge of the cushion. The seat post has some red corrosion and white paint accretions along the threads at the end of the post.

Example Narrative #3: No change in condition

No change in condition since condition report by LAWRENCEA on 2019-01-17.

Common damage types

Abrasion – roughening or wearing away of an object’s surface due to repeated friction or contact with other surfaces.

Accretion – accumulation or encrustation of material on the surface of a object such as adhesives, dirt, paint or frass (insect excrement) that is not part of the object.

Brittle/embrittled – loss of flexibility causing the material to break or disintegrate when handled.

Crease – fold in paper, fabric, etc. that has left a heavy line in the object Faded – loss of brightness or intensity of color.

Friable – loose and powdery (lead dust) Greasy – covered or coated in a oily or slipper substance.

Loss – area that is missing a piece Odorous – strong distinctive smell. (vinegary, pungent, noxious chemical or organic odor) Pest Damage – holes, fraying, powdering, discoloration caused by an insect, rodent or another pest.

Scratched – mark left on the surface of an object Stained – a discoloration that can be clearly distinguished from the surface, material, or medium it is found upon Surface Dirt/Dusty – general accumulation of dirt of dust from storage or use Tear – where fabric or paper has ripped

Material specific damage

Glass: crazing (fine hairline cracks through a glaze), weeping Leather: Red rot, bloom Metals: corrosion, oxidation, tarnish, dent Paper: foxing (brown or reddish-brown spots), mold, water damage, crease, discoloration Photographs: embrittlement (inflexible), curling/rolling, warping, emulsion loss, emulsion separation, ferrotyping (uneven glossy areas of the emulsion resulting from direct contact with surfaces such as plastic or glass while wet), silver mirroring (spots of metallic sheen) Plastic: blistering (bubbles) Wood: lifting, bloom, warping

Creating Condition Reports during PSRP4