Provenance glossary

Provenance

The documented history of an object's ownership, custody and location, from its creation to the present.

Chain of custody

An unbroken, dated sequence of who held an object and when, supported by evidence.

Certificate of authenticity (COA)

A document stating that an object is genuine. Its value depends entirely on who issued it and whether it can be checked.

Catalogue raisonné

A comprehensive, scholarly list of an artist's known works, often used to confirm attribution.

Digital identity

A unique, persistent online record for one physical object, which tags and codes point to.

NFC (Near Field Communication)

A short-range wireless technology that lets a phone read a small, battery-free chip by tapping it.

QR code

A two-dimensional barcode that any phone camera can scan to open a link.

Secure NFC / SUN

NFC chips, such as NTAG 424 DNA, that add a unique encrypted code to each tap so clones can be detected. SUN stands for Secure Unique NFC.

Tamper-evident tag

A tag designed to break or report tampering if it is removed or the seal is opened.

On-metal tag

An NFC tag with a shielding layer that allows it to be read when fixed to metal.

GS1 Digital Link

A GS1 standard that expresses product identifiers as web addresses, so one QR code works for retail and consumers.

Digital Product Passport (DPP)

An EU requirement, under the ESPR, for products to carry a digital record of materials, origin, repair and recycling information.

Retro-tagging

Adding a tag and digital record to an object long after it was made, using whatever evidence exists.

Artist's Resale Right

A right, in the UK, EU and elsewhere, for artists to receive a royalty when their work is resold through the art market.

Match-worn

Sports kit actually worn by a player in a match, as opposed to replica or player-issued items.

Conservation-grade adhesive

Adhesive that is stable, acid-free and reversible, so it does not damage an object and can be removed.

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