11.0 OBJECTS, GENERAL RULES

11.0A. Preliminary rule

11.0A1. Scope.

The rules in this chapter may be used to describe objects that constitute a fonds or a part thereof as instructed in 1.0A1. An object is defined as a three-dimensional record. Man-made objects include furniture, clothing, tools and equipment, art objects, toys, ceremonial artefacts, etc. Naturally occurring objects include objects comprised of inorganic materials (such as stone or mineral samples, etc.), and objects comprised of organic materials, including animal materials (such as bone, hair, shell, etc.), or plant materials (such as bark, leaves, flowers, etc.).

For multiple media fonds, see Chapter 2. For three-dimensional cartographic material , e.g., globes and models, see Chapter 5. For three-dimensional architectural records, e.g., models, see Chapter 6. For records which fall within the scope of other chapters but which are intellectually related to a particular object (e.g., sketches of a medal, etc., created as part of the design process), consult the rules in the chapter appropriate to the unit being described in conjunction with the rules in this chapter when necessary.

11.0B. Sources of information

11.0B1. Chief source of information.

The chief sources of information for objects are as follows¹

1. for a fonds, all of the material in the fonds;
2. for a series, all of the material in the series;
3. for a file, all of the material in the file, including the container;
4. for an item, the item itself together with any accompanying textual material and the container, case or stand issued by the publisher or manufacturer. Prefer information found on the object itself (including any permanently affixed labels) to information found on the accompanying textual material or on a container.

11.0B2. Prescribed sources of information.

The prescribed source(s) of information for each area of description of objects is set out below. Enclose information taken from outside the prescribed source(s) in square brackets, unless otherwise instructed in specific rules.

11.0C. Punctuation

For the punctuation of the description as a whole, see 1.0C.
For the prescribed punctuation of elements, see the following rules.

11.0D. Levels of detail in the description

See 1.0D.

11.0E. Language and script of the description

See 1.0E.

11.0F. Inaccuracies

See 1.0F.

11.0G. Accents and other diacritical marks

See 1.0G.