Sample Condition Reports
Sample Condition Reports
Sample Condition Reports
location
DIMENSIONS MATERIALS
Height(cm): _ Warp & Weft: _
Length/pep.th(an): _ Pile:
Width/ Diameter(cm): _ Additional Elements: _
OVFJ\ )})}»})})})
[<erort By:
catalog / accession / loan
CONDmON REPORT
for Fine Arts Objects
MUSEUM OF TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY
NO ------
YES YES _ WIRE YES
NO NO 0- RIN GS
Dimensions:
r
~--
--------------------------------------
CONDITION:
INSTITUTION:_M_us_e_u_m_X _
INCOMING CONDITION:
SIGNED: ------------
DATE:
OUTGOING CONDmON:
SIGNED: _
DATE:
ARIZONA STATE MUSEUM ~.
i
CONDITION REPORT
Matenals (Generdl): _
Comments: _
Check conditIOns if thc:y apply, use space: at end of condition to clarify "wherc" and "what." "If used, cross out tt:nn that docs not apply. 11f20/%
REI!
- -------~-~----------
l Georgia Museum of Art]
ARTIST:
TITLE:
FRAME:
Losses:
Abrasions/Scratches:
Soiled/Stained:
Miters:
Other:
IMAGE:
Abrasions/Rubs:
Accretions:
Cracking:
Folds:
Tears/Rips:
Losses:
~pairs:
Foxing:
Scratches:
Soiled/Stained:
118
.J [Virginia Museum of Natural History]
PHYSICAL DAMAGE
Broken I Cracked Loose Detached G~ Dirty I Dry Holes WaIJ:Z Worn Dis- Other
Tom Dusty Damage spots colored
Ears
Antlerslhoms
Eye openings
Beaks I bills
Nose region
Mouth
Wings
Legs
Fins
Feet
Tail
Bcdy
Feathers
Hair
Base I Support
COMMENTS:
o presence of dust/dirt
o presence of mould
Additional problems:
o corrosion ofmetal _
o loose components _
o other
o other
o other --------------------
o Fumigation - LJMeBr C Freezing C Other
101
ARTIFACT CONDITION REPORT
IDAHO STATE HISTORICAL MUSEUM
Object Person reportin~2 _
Accession number Date of report~----------------
Inventory location Photographs: BIW Neg#
Site COlor Slide #----------
--------
Physical description of object(color; construction; materials; size--LxWxH inches/cm): _
Structure: glass
ceramic
Surface decoration/attachments ----------------
metal
wood
textile
Structural damage --------------------
basket
paper Areas of insecurity/weakness _
leather
Condition:
Degree of damage (slight, moderate, major, extreme) _
__ dirt/grime
worn
abrasions Location of damage (draw sketch or diagram)
stained
corrosion
tarnish
__ warping
__ Shrinking
__ !laking
-powdering
holes
tears
scratches
__ bulges
cracked
rotted
__ insects/roden ts
__ mold/mildew
__ moisture damage
__ embrittlement
aa:retions
delamination
deformations
other "
97
--------------------- ..--. q
University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics Medical Museum
CONDITION REPORT
Object Number:
Object Name:
Borrower: --------------------------
----- _
_ Report Date
Value
_
Summary of Condition:
General Description:
Dimensions: (I x w x h)
Surface damage:
o accretion (incrustation) o foxing o restorations/ overpainting/ old adhesive
o bleeding o mold, mildew o other _
o soiled o lifting paint/ coating
o stained / discolored o insect/ pest damage
o crumbly o abrasions/ minor damage
Other:
o auxiliary attachments
o insect infestation (active)
o former treatment:
o other damage:
. C'1n.-;crvation Treatment should be pcrfonm.>d only by a profl'S-sional con.scrvator. Unk-s.s you are .1bs<1lutcly certain that
treatment or cleaning can be perfonned with no damage to the artifact. always let a cons •.'rvator do the work. ~It."ctions
ManaRement Handbook for RlJidelint.'S. 4/'fl
103
UH.I.EC liONS \1.\N.\<;E:\IENT
MRM5 MUSEU."I
EX.\.\IISER [hrE
Priority Key
r\ IITIST Conservation Priority
1 = Object in Jeopardy
2 = Not exhibitable as is
\IEIJIU.\1 3 = Needs minor repair or cleaning
4 = Needs further evaluation
STRErUIER/I',\:-IEL SIZE 1-1 w 1:-1. 5 = Needs no work
SHEEr SIZE H w 1:-1.
Curatorial Priority
I.\I.\I;E SI ZE H w IN. 1 = Needed immediately for exhibit or loan
2 = Needed in future for exhibit or loan
FR'\,\IE/~I;\'r SIZE H w IN,
3 = May have some need at some time
SI<;.ID,HE (IIOW? WIIERE?) 4 = Object need never see light of day
5 = Potential deaccession
.\L\RKS/I..\IIELS (WII,\T? WIIERE?)
Conservation Priority 2 3 4 5
Curatorial Priority 2 3 4 5
\.Jhiler
1 il1nl I.J
.J.J A I"'.H
~.JJrller
(SIf:!,:1I1~
1),,111
:hed,s
P,dn 111loss
work
Int~·'l.llion
,\c"lic
Hrtr
Hrnk~n
1i"ld dc'Illi"iJl\I
Il1t~'s(,III'l(l
Kc..'v'
Disjoil1' nl.llni,d, i
.J ,11,.1"
Strek
Hulgc S <'
Imcum:
DESCRIPTION
(.J)(:\or,lsions
fral11~J
hc'r
hhric l1l'r
Accrcrions II REMARKS
DEFECTS
.J
::.J llanging
(;I,llin~
:\dhc"lr"d dcvi<:c's
lOudll'S
10 Iu,king
I
PPORT SUPPORT
I
.J .\1"ld
I 1, h,'r
231
( , II I 1( I'" '.' .\1 \ '. \1.1 \ II " I
227
Painting 'Ir ,[fain.:r. In papcr .. 1 ,ofr. con('I\'e/(l1l1\'ex
1'.timillg I..lyas r~lndom dis[()[[ ilm. .
Ground: Layer(s) of m.Herial applied to prepare Chalking: Loss of a paine or .:mulsion laycr hy
.1 surflCe r(Jr lJ.\inring; usu.dly a pigmelH in a powdcring off.
~
binding medium. Check: Splining of wood .dong rhe grain, I
Paint layer: l.aycr(s) of colorcd pigment .lIld from rhe edge of a hoard or pand t~)[ a parr of j
binder us.:d [0 make rhe Jesign. irs lengrh. Checking is usually in rcsponse [0
Varnish: A clear resinous film applied ()\'er rhe n:peared dimensional change broughr on by
paint layer ti)r prorccrion and ro sarurare rhe tlucruJrions of [.:mperarure and humidiry (d~
lolors. 'plir).
I'.timing Supports: l'all(l. Fabric. Board Cleavage: A ~cp.trarion bcrween [he painr layers
Cradle: On a panel. a sysrem of wooJ or .lIld rhe supporr producing reming (gable-like
mcral ribs flS[cned par.lllel [() [he graih. wirh ridges) or cupping (concavc thke~). Caused by
perpendicular sliding m.:mbers; us.:d in .In rhe comracrion lIf rhe supporr, tiJrcing rhe painr
layer up lI!"f[he surfal:e .
.Irrempr [0 prevent warping
Crackle: A nerwork lIf fine cracks tiJUnd in a
Lining: The .IJdirion of a new layer of marerial
to rhe reVt'rse of rhe original, using one of a variery of objecrs including painrings, lactjuers,
inlays. and ceramics. The crevice has a narrow
numher uf adhesives SlIch as wax-resin. glue.
pasre, or syntheric resins. aperrure and ofren p.:nerrares more rhan one
Strainer: A fixcd-joint, non-eXpandable, laycr; rhe rifr has a rdarively wide aperrure
wouden framc auxiliary supporr for t~lhric. .Ind penerrares only a single layer. A (racrion
Stretcher: An auxiliary wooden-frame crackle has an ".tll igarored" parrern of complex
supporr ti)r fabric rhar has one of scveral ryp.:s branching, wirh wide, disfiguring apcrrures.
of cxp.lI1dable joints to permir dimensional Mechanical cral:ks resulring from a blow or
pressure [0 rhe revcrse. l:an cause ~Itear her-like
enlargcmenr.
Stretcher keys: Wonden wedges uscd in rhe or radiaring crackle parrern (bulls-eye or spider
slors of rhe joines of some s[ferchers rhem web) or rhe bcnding or creasing ofa canvas
mechan ieilly. (e.g., along [hc inner edge,s of ~rrerchcr bars).
Tacking edge: The edge of a rlbric painting Crazing: A fine sysrem uf crackling in a
supporr [har is rurneJ over and anach.:d [0 varnish layer. usually found in .Iged films in
rhe s[fercher or s[faincr. usu.dly wirh r.ILks or [hcir tlnal srages lIf drying .Ind embrirrkmenr.
SLlplcs. Cupping: See cleange.
Dishing: A detecr in (h.: srrt'rcher CllISed hy
Painting Terms rhe rorque lIf.1 drawn t:lbric. If [hc ,rrcrcher
Blanching: Irregular. ohrrusive. p.de or milky m.:mbers arc rwi,sred Ou[ of .1common plane .. 1
.lrCIS in painr or varnish; nor .1,upafici.d ,ha IIl1w,j ihed ra I .lIlgle is t; Irmcd .H rhe corners.
defeu likc hloom hur .1 ,carrering of lighr frolll Di,hing is .1common CIUSCof corncr wrinkles
l11icroporo,i[i\."\ or ~r.lnularion in .Igcd films. in ,rrcrl:hed c.rn\'.hCS ref. dr.l\v).
Blister: :\ ,epara[ ion he[ wccn Llyt'rs .Ippe.lri ng Draw: A 10c.tI ,!i,rorrilln .1£ the corncr of.1
.IS .In cnclosed. hubbled .lrca.
p.linring. marked h~' di.lgonal cOlkling from
Bloom: r\ whiri,h, doudy .lppt·.ILlnce in rhc [he corncr [O\qrd [he celHer of [hc moulH (ct:
\' Irni,h Llya dlhed by expo,urc [0 moisrure dishing).
,Ir rt..,ulring from wax-h.lst'll medi.1. SOlllerimes Fill: rhe 1l1.Hni.d lhed [0 rcpLlcc .IrC.ISof 1m,;
\.dlnl \·(tlon,·'lcIKe. [h.: fill i, rhcn in-p.lilHed.
Buckling: \V.\\'\."\ or I.lrge hulges in .1\.In\'.\.S Flaki ng: I.if[ ing .llld ,omcri IIlC' I"" of /11£
from 111111-unit~ml1 [erhion .lround [he ,[rt'rlher .Irc.'" of (he ,urt:ICC I.I\'er.
. ,..!
, I II I I t I I t I '." \ 1\'. \ ,I \ Ii'. I
t
lornl'r. 1l1.lrknll1\'.1, di,rinllll- ,lI'h.lIl· .lrl'.I: lI,'CS lit' ,.dl l11ord.IIH', ,'\I"1\lIr,' IlIl'l'I"piLlli'lll.
'
IIr.1 ,Oll1hil1.111111llit' Ih",c',
u'u.1I11- 1.lu,nll1\' !",.d .1,lh,·,i,)JI "I' IIll' '"I'P"rt
(0111\.' 'l·lllnd.lr\' '"I'pllrL Wood Terms
Draw::\ \lI1.d dj,,"rri"Il.1I I hI' ,1)rn,T. 1I1.1rkni
Allig.Horing: '1"ri,', IIfh.llllilll' ,1'.1.1" ill ,,1.1
I1\' di.lgon.1ILod..ling tl'llll1 Ii1\' c"rI1n 1"" 11',1 I.Hlli,h. Lrl'.lIil1~ till' .IPI"·,II,lnu· lIt .dli~.lIlIr
Ihl' Cl'iHn IIf [h~ 111"11111. hi,le',
Drumming::\ ("I'l' of 111.lIling lI'hl'rl' Ih~ Checking: '1lighl ~.IPl'll1g ht(lIc"'ll 11,,,,.1 ,,·11,
'UPP"rl j, ,1,lh,Tnl IHI .dl nlgc" III Ih" II IIhl,,\\' Ih,lI ,ll'.tln.1 ,1ll',kcd"j.llllllk"I,.II[dl1. 1011111,1
IlLII: dU'l" prllhk-nh 11 [ht' r,-I.lIilc' hllll1idl!l '.\hlTl' \\tHh.i j, ",lU ..
(r.li~ht
..• h..flh' dll' ~1.111l t,'I
l'c'cIII11l" 'I'" It)\\,.
,Irl 111~. ,",h .1' 111.11'.lil .11111,,1.111I.",!.
Foxing: '1111.dlIl'lIoII. hl'l'I' n. fIr Inl,!i,h hl'llll n Dnl rot: 1),',.1\ Ilf ,,·.I"'I1,·,llIllIh<'l, 111,,,1
'po" "n 1"!f'l'r: c.llhnll" 111,,1,1lIr 0' 1.IIII"n "t h\ t'lIl1~i (h.if •.ttl1"1l11h (h":\.I...:IIII~ht·ld·\\,II~li.
ir"n f'.lrri,k, In (hI' f,,!f'lT, "'.11 il1g ,I ",I( ,k"kt.'11 il1.It l' 1,I,IiI, 1"101,,,1101
\X'rinkling: \n .ll1gul.lr. clll,hnl .Iiqlllflllll, pIJ\"lllT
,'29
MUSEUM REC(STR,\ nON \tETHO()S I 'i fll EDITION
Leather Terms
Hair loss: Area of loose or missing fur in
objects and garments made of pelts; often due
to pest .1ctivity or improper processing of the
hide.
Red rot: Powdery red subsrance found upon
vegetable-tanned leather objects resulting from
a chemical reaction with pollutants in the air.
Metal Terms rh,lIIks to: .1IIthors ,{Basic ConJirion Reponing:
A Handbook (Jrd rdition. Southr,lJ{rrr/ Rrgistrars
Corrosion: The chemical alteration of a metal
Association. /998): Sharon Brnnrtr. P,wlq S. Cuo . .\/ary
surface caused by agents in the environment or
r;ilt's. P,ltti A. H.lgt'r. H..lrn B. ll/g,z/ls. f:'1isr V I.tComptt'.
by reagents applied purposely. Corrosion may
Allyn I.ord. Dougl.lJ .\/cC'ush. M.mha Timissm .\/'lybrrry.
only affect an object's color and texture without Annr E. .Hotlry. Ilnd Stacry Slll'lltsky. r",wks ,z/so to
.1ltering the form (bronze disease) or it may add Richllrd D. Buc~ . .I,fargllrrt Holbrn E!1is.. 1IId to R,d.t'l
to the form. producing hard nodules nr GustS v'lrgas ,znd thr Str,ws Crntrr for c,ms/'rr'lltiol/. lI.zn·,/rd
(rust). Bimerallic (or galvanic) corrosion results UI/ivrrsity Art .~/ust'ums. jar ,ulditio11'llglnss.lry tams.
230
( I 'I I I I I I' I '." \ 1 \ '. I' ,I \ 1I 's I
227
Painting IIr '(L\lIl~r. 111p;lp~T,.1 ,oft. U>lIC.IV~·/COI1\'~X
j',{il/ting /.,{yas LI ndlJln d iswrt ion.
Ground: L,lycr(s) of mar~rial ,Ippli~d (() pr~par~ Chalking: Lu.,s of a p;linr or emulsion Ia:'er hy
a surl~lce li)r paillling: usually ,I pigmenr ill ;1 po\\'deri ng oIl
hinding medium. Check: Splilting of wood .dong rhe gLlin,
Paint layer: Llyer(s) of colored pigmenr and from [he edge ofa hoard or panel tiH a parr of
binder us~'d (0 make rhe de.,ign. its lengrh. Checking is usually in response (()
Varnish: r\ dear resinous film ,Ipplinl m'er rhe r~pea[ed dimensional change hroughr on by
p;linr l.1)'er li)r prureLrion ,lIId (() ',lIl1Llle rhe tlucruarions of remptT,l!ll!e ,Ind Illllllidir:' (cf
colors. 'plir).
Cleavage: A s~paLl!ion b~r\\'een [hc painr Ia)'~r,
j',{il/ting Supports: j'(//I/'/, /-;tlJrir, Hoard
and rhe supporr producing reming (gahle-like
Cradle: On a panel. ,I sysrem of wood or
ridges) nr cuppi ng (concave tla k~.,). Clusnl hy
metal rihs Lisrenni paLdlel w [he graih, with
[he cnlltracrion of rhe SUpPO((. li,rcing rhe paim
perp~ndicular .,Iiding memhers: used in ,In
layer up nl'f the su rElce.
,J[tempr ro prevelll warpi ng
Crackle: A ner work of fi ne c('lLks tiHlnd in a
Lining: The .Iddirion of.1 new layer of l11arerial
variery of objecrs including pail1!ings. lacquer~,
ro [he rev~r'>t' of rhe original. u.,ing on~ of a
inlays. and ceramics. The cr~vice has :I narrow
Ilumber of ,Idhesiv~s sIKh as wax-resin, glue,
aperture ,Ind often p~n~rLHes Illore dun one
pasre. or synrheric resins.
layer: [he rifr has a rclarivcl:' wide aperture
Strainer: t\ fixed-joinr, non.expandable,
.Ind penetrares only a single layer. A rracrion
wooden frame .luxili,l!Y supporr li)r t:lhric.
Stretcher: r\n auxiliarv wooden-frame crackle has an "alligator~d" pattern of COlli pie x
hranching. wirh wide. disfiguring apertures.
,upporr li)r f;lbric rhar has one of s~veral ryp~s
i\.1cchanicd cLI~'ks r~sulting frolll a blow or
of exp.lnd.lhle joi illS [0 penn ir di mensional
pressure to [he r~Vl'!se. can cause a tearher-like
en la rgem~nr.
St retcher keys: \Vooden wedges usnl in rhe or radiating cLlckle pa[t~rn (hulls-eye or spider
sims of rhe ;oinrs of some srrerchers rh~1!1 w~b) or [he hl'nding or creasing of a canvas
kg .. ,dong rhe innl'! l'llges of srrerchl'! bar~).
mechanically.
Crazing: A fine sys[elll ofnackling in a
Tacking edge: The edge of a t:lhric pailHing
varnish layer, usually tiHlnd in .Ig~d films in
,upporr rh,lI is [urned over .Ind a[(ached ro
rhe s[rcrdler or .,[raill~r, usu,dh- wjrh racks or rh~'ir final \lages ofdr:'ing ,Ind ~llIhrir[lelllent.
Cupping: S~'e clea\,;Jg~.
'LI pies.
Dishing: t\ dct~'cr in th~ \lre[chcr L.llIsed hy
Painting Terms rh~ [orque of.1 drawn f.lhri~-. If [he \lr~tcher
Blanching: Irregul,lr. ohrrusive, p.de or milky 1ll~'llIbl'!s .Ir~ twi\ll·d tlut of.1 UHnlllon pl.lne .. 1
,lre,IS ill p,lim or varni,h: Ilor ,I ,uperfici.d ,h.dlow dih~dr;J1 ,Ingle is ti!l'llIcd .11 [he cornl'!'.
ddeu like hloom hur ,I ,ca[(ering of'lighr from [)ishing is ,I Cl1ll1lllnn ,.IUS~ of ~tlrncr wrinkles
miLroporo,irie, (Ir grallu!arion ill aged films. in ,trcrched l'.IIl\';h~' kf. dr.lw).
Blister: :\ ,epar,uion herweell Ia:er., .Ippearing Draw: :\ 10~'.d diswr! il1n .I[ [h~ COrlll'! ,)f.1
.IS all ellclosed. hub hied .lr~,1. p.linting. nl.lrknllw diagon.d co,kling frnlll
Bloom: r\ whiri,h. Lloudy .lpp~.Ir.ln(~ ill rh~' (h~ ll1rnlT [()\\ ,Ird I h~L~ll[er ()( [h~ IllI1UIl! (cf.
..:8
« t II ! I t ii, I'.....
\ 1 \'. \t.1 \ 11 " J
RESOURCES
Demeroukas, Marie, "Condition Reporting," (eds.) Rebecca A. Buck and Jean Allman
Gilmore in Museum Registration Methods Sth Edition, (Washington DC:AAM Press,
2010), p. 223-232.
Perry, Kenneth D. (ed.), The Museum Forms Book, Third Edition, (Austin: Texas
Association of Museums, 1999).