Sammlungsstück

Sammlungsstück is a term used in German-speaking museology and collection management to denote any object that belongs to a collection. It covers a wide range of materials, including artworks, archaeological artifacts, natural-history specimens, and documentary records. An object may be on public display or stored in archives or storage facilities.

Etymology and scope: The word combines Samml ung (collection) and Stück (piece). It emphasizes the object's belonging to a collection rather than its current function or display status. In practice, museums distinguish between Sammlungsstücke, Exponate (exhibits), and Leihgaben (loans).

Documentation and metadata: Each Sammlungsstück is recorded in a collection management system with an accession number, title, creator or maker, date or period, material, and dimensions. Provenance, acquisition method, conservation history, rights, and current location (storage or display) are typically documented as well.

Purpose and use: Sammlungsstücke serve research, teaching, and conservation planning. They enable comparative studies and inform exhibition concepts and interpretation. Management decisions regarding access, display, and conservation depend on their status within the collection.

Ethics and provenance: Provenance research is common for Sammlungsstücke, especially for items with gaps in ownership history. Repatriation and ethical considerations may affect how such objects are handled, loaned, or returned under cultural-property laws and guidelines.

In everyday language, the term can also refer to items within private or corporate collections, indicating a component of a larger organized assemblage rather than a standalone piece.