Láblécek

Láblécek is a Hungarian term used in archival, library, and museum contexts to refer to small label cards or placards placed at the bottom of displays, shelves, or cases to convey concise information about an object or item. The term appears in various Hungarian cataloging and labeling practices and is not consistently standardized across institutions.

Etymology and scope are varied in usage. The components of the word suggest a meaning related to a “foot” or bottom element that carries information, though exact origins can differ by domain. In many contexts, Láblécek describe physical labels attached beneath or near an object, while in some institutions the concept extends to digital metadata blocks that serve a similar bottom-line labeling function in catalogs or inventories.

Typical content and function include essential identifying data such as accession or inventory numbers, title or designation, date, provenance, and current location. They are intended to aid quick identification, inventory control, and display organization. Materials and formats vary, with examples including printed paper cards, laminated sheets, or lightweight plaques, affixed or placed beneath items on shelves or cases.

Variants and related terms often overlap with shelf labels, caption labels, or accession labels. In digital catalogs, analogous concepts may appear as footer-like metadata blocks that summarize item information. Because Láblécek practices differ among institutions, there is no single universal template, and institutions frequently maintain their own guidelines for content, placement, and styling. See also: label, caption, accession label, shelf label.