Object Types

Every Object, Documented with Custom Fields

Muselera's flexible Object Types module allows you to define and manage the unique characteristics of every collection, from automotive museums to arboretums, from archaeology museums to art galleries.

Muselera's feature for categorizing museum artifacts by type

What are Object Types?

Object Types is one of Muselera's most powerful features. This module enables you to define custom data fields for each object type in your museum, allowing you to record artifacts with their characteristic properties.

Vehicles in an automotive museum and handwoven textiles in an ethnography museum cannot be described with the same data fields. Muselera starts from this reality, allowing you to create specific fields for each object type. This simplifies data entry and makes search and reporting operations much more efficient.

Industry Use Cases

Muselera adapts to every type of museum and collection. Here are examples from different sectors:

Automotive and Vehicle Museums

Custom-designed fields for vehicle collections:

Field NameData Type
MakePredefined Data
ModelText
Production YearDate
Engine CapacityNumeric
HorsepowerNumeric
Carrying CapacityNumeric
Number of TiresNumeric
ColorPredefined Data
Chassis NumberText
Dimensions (L x W x H)Numeric (cm)
Fuel TypePredefined Data
Restoration StatusPredefined Data

Archaeology and Ethnography Museums

For historical findings and ethnographic objects:

Field NameData Type
Find LocationText / Coordinates
Excavation SeasonDate
Period / EraPredefined Data
MaterialMulti-Select
Production TechniquePredefined Data
DimensionsNumeric
WeightNumeric
Conservation StatusPredefined Data
CatalogerPredefined Data
Literature ReferenceText

Art Museums and Galleries

For paintings, sculptures, and artworks:

Field NameData Type
ArtistMulti-Select
TechniquePredefined Data
MaterialMulti-Select
Movement / PeriodPredefined Data
Creation DateDate / Date Range
DimensionsNumeric
Signature StatusPredefined Data
ProvenanceText
Exhibition HistoryText
Insurance ValueNumeric

Multi-Select Example: For an artwork created by multiple artists in collaboration, you can select all contributors in the "Artist" field. This way, the work appears in search results for each artist.

Arboretums and Botanical Gardens

For tree and plant collections:

Field NameData Type
Common NameText
Latin NameText
FamilyPredefined Data
Origin / Native LandPredefined Data
Leaf TypePredefined Data
Deciduous StatusPredefined Data
Fruit StatusPredefined Data
Planting DateDate
Estimated AgeNumeric
Trunk CircumferenceNumeric (cm)
HeightNumeric (m)
GPS CoordinatesCoordinates

Municipal Cultural Assets

For historical buildings and monuments within city limits:

Field NameData Type
Building TypePredefined Data
Construction DateDate / Century
Architectural StylePredefined Data
Registration StatusPredefined Data
Registration GradePredefined Data
Ownership StatusPredefined Data
Usage StatusPredefined Data
Restoration HistoryText
AddressText
Block / ParcelText

Available Field Types in Muselera

Muselera offers various field types to meet different data needs:

Basic Data Types

Text

Free text entry

Example: Description, notes, address

Numeric

Numerical values

Example: Dimensions, weight, quantity

Date

Date value

Example: Creation date, excavation date

Date Range

Start-end date

Example: Period, century range

Advanced Data Types

Predefined Data

Single selection from predefined values

Ensures data consistency, prevents typos

Multi-Select Predefined Data

Multiple selections from predefined values

Select multiple artists, materials, or techniques

Coordinates

GPS location information

Example: Find location, building position

File / Image

Document and photo attachment

Example: Inventory photos, documents

An Editor That Keeps Your Data Safe

Build and change object types without a developer, and without risking the records you already have.

Click to Add, Arrange

Add properties to an object type with a click and put them in order with the up and down arrows.

Settings per Property

For every property you decide separately whether it is visible, required, published on the internet and shown on the kiosk.

Protected Data

Properties that already hold data are shown as locked, so existing records cannot be broken by accident.

Data Accuracy and Consistency

Free Text Problem

"Picasso""Pablo Picasso""P. Picasso""picasso"

Four different entries for the same artist = Inconsistency in search and reporting

Predefined Data Solution

→ Pablo Picasso

Single standard value = Accurate access to all works

Accurate Association with Multi-Select

Some objects should be associated with multiple values:

Example: Collaborative Work

A painting may be created by both "Andy Warhol" and "Jean-Michel Basquiat". With multi-select fields:

  • The work appears in "Andy Warhol" searches
  • The work appears in "Jean-Michel Basquiat" searches
  • The work is included in both artists' reports

Example: Mixed Materials

A sculpture may contain both "Bronze" and "Marble":

  • Accurate counting in material-based inventory reports
  • All materials visible in conservation planning

Object Type Templates

Quick and Error-Free Object Type Creation

Using templates for object types with similar characteristics accelerates the setup process and ensures standardization.

Example Scenario: Numismatic Collection

A museum has both coins and medals. Both share these common characteristics:

MaterialDiameterWeightMinting DateMint LocationObverse DescriptionReverse DescriptionEdge TypeConservation Status
1

Create "Numismatic Template" and define common fields

2

"Coin" object type derived from template, add "Face Value"

3

"Medal" object type derived from template, add "Award Reason"

Result: Repetitive data entry prevented, consistency ensured.

Search and Reporting

Advanced Search by Object Types

All fields you define become search criteria:

"Vehicles manufactured between 1950-1970, over 100 horsepower, red color"

"Findings from Bronze Age, Anatolian origin, terracotta material"

"Evergreen, fruit-bearing, Mediterranean origin trees"

"Pablo Picasso's oil paintings from the Cubism period"

Dynamic Reports

You can create object type-based reports:

  • List of all objects of a specific type
  • Property-based inventory counts
  • Objects requiring maintenance and conservation
  • Period or location-based distribution reports

Sample Object Types

Some object types that can be created in Muselera:

General Museums

  • Paintings
  • Sculptures
  • Drawings
  • Photographs
  • Prints

Decorative Arts

  • Ceramics
  • Glassware
  • Furniture
  • Textiles
  • Garments
  • Jewelry

Archaeology

  • Inscriptions
  • Coins
  • Seals
  • Figurines
  • Pottery
  • Tools

History and Science

  • Maps
  • Documents
  • Scientific Instruments
  • Machines
  • Weapons

Thematic Museums

  • Vehicles
  • Toys
  • Musical Instruments
  • Sports Equipment

Special Collections

  • Trees and Plants
  • Buildings and Structures
  • Monuments
  • Street Furniture

Why Object Types Matter?

Complete Data Entry

Required fields predefined for each object type prevent data gaps.

Fast Data Entry

Users only see relevant fields, no time wasted on unnecessary fields.

Data Consistency

Predefined lists ensure different users enter data to the same standards.

Powerful Search

Every field is searchable, enabling complex queries easily.

Meaningful Reporting

Type-based reports allow deep analysis of your collection.

Maintenance Planning

Maintenance needs of objects of the same type can be planned collectively.

Frequently Asked Questions

Short answers to the questions museums ask us most. Can't find yours? Our team is happy to help.

What is an object type in Muselera?

An object type defines which fields are recorded for a kind of object. Each museum creates its own types, for example make, model and engine capacity for vehicles, or find location and excavation season for archaeological finds.

Which field types can we use?

Text, numeric, date and date range fields, predefined single-select and multi-select lists, GPS coordinates, and files or images such as inventory photos and documents.

Why use predefined values instead of free text?

Free text produces variants such as "Picasso", "P. Picasso" and "picasso" for the same artist. A predefined value keeps one standard entry, so searches and reports find every related object.

Can an object have several artists or materials?

Yes. Multi-select fields link an object to several values, so a painting by two artists appears in both artists' searches and a sculpture of bronze and marble is counted under both materials.

Can similar object types share common fields?

Yes. With templates you define the common fields once, for example for coins and medals, and derive each object type from the template with its own extra fields.

Can we search and report on the fields we define?

Yes. Every field you define becomes a search criterion and can be used in object type based reports, such as inventory counts by property or distribution by period and location.

Custom Solution for Your Collection

Every museum is unique. Muselera's flexible Object Types module fully adapts to your collection's unique needs.

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