The open research drawer
Questions from the Archive
Answers for the point where an interesting match becomes a research responsibility.
Can an image model date a garment?
It can suggest resemblance to dated examples, but cannot establish a date from appearance alone. Check materials, construction, documents and alterations. Keep a suggested period separate from the catalogue's supported date range. Read the historical checks.
Does visual resemblance demonstrate influence?
No. Influence requires historical evidence of connection or transmission, not just a similar outline. Investigate access, circulation, publications and documented references while retaining alternative explanations.
What should a minimum object record contain?
Include a stable identifier, responsible institution, object description, qualified dates, sources, provenance notes, image rights and separate machine assertions. State whether information is unknown, not recorded or not examined. Build the object record.
Can a model identify fabric from a photograph?
It may describe apparent texture or sheen, but fibre and construction claims require appropriate supporting evidence. Lighting and image processing can change appearance. A technical examination or reliable documentary source may be necessary.
How should we store uncertain results?
Keep the proposed label, source image, workflow version, review status and reason for uncertainty. Do not overwrite documented fields. A human review should record a decision and its basis, including rejection or unresolved disagreement.
Do public museum images permit model training?
Not automatically. Check the specific licence, institutional terms and relevant restrictions before reuse. Public access, image downloading, publication and training are not interchangeable permissions. Seek qualified advice where the intended use is unclear.
Can a small collection run a useful pilot?
Yes. Use a manageable rights-cleared sample, a specific research question and documented human review before scaling. Include difficult cases and check whether results follow photographic backgrounds rather than garment features. Plan a discovery pilot.
Are the object images on this site museum holdings?
No. They are illustrative 3D renders, not authenticated collection objects or evidence of historical forms. Collection references appear separately as research sources; they do not authenticate the illustrations.
Does the research slip send a message?
No. It creates a local preview that you can copy or download. Sending an email is a separate action. The site provides no collection search, file upload or automatic messaging service. Open the research slip.