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NOTES ON THE SAFEGUARDING AND CONSERVING CULTURAL MATERIAL IN THE FIELD                     33.

whole object, and a subsidiary number for each fragment or part, e.g. if the number for the object is I, the parts would be numbered I^1, I^2, and so on.  This is very helpful in reassembling the fragments or parts.

When objects are broken into a large number of pieces, or have many detachable parts, separate numbering may be impossible.  In such a case, put all the fragments or all the detachable parts in a box, labelled "Fragments (or parts) or No. ..."

(iv) If you have to number objects yourself, use something that is not easily detached or rubbed off.  Paint may be used on stone, metal, ceramics, and wood (including the wooden stretchers on which canvases are usually mounted); adhesive labels on paper, leather, parchment; fabric attached with pins or stitches in the case of textiles.

Place the number where it is not likely to do damage or to be unsightly, e.g. on the back of the bases of statues, on the bottom of pottery or porcelain objects, on the stretchers of painting. Place the number, as far as possible, in the same place on all examples of the same kind of object.  This makes reference easier.