provenance Definition
- 1the place of origin or earliest known history of something
- 2the beginning of something's existence; something's origin
Using provenance: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "provenance" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The painting's provenance was traced back to the 16th century.
Example
The provenance of the diamond is unknown.
Example
The museum has strict policies regarding the provenance of its artifacts.
provenance Synonyms and Antonyms
Phrases with provenance
the process of tracing the ownership history of an artwork or artifact
Example
The museum hired a specialist to conduct provenance research on the newly acquired painting.
a statement or assertion about the origin or history of an object, often made by someone who claims to own it
Example
The auction house rejected the provenance claim of the seller, citing lack of evidence.
the sequence of ownership and transfer of an object from its creation to the present day
Example
The provenance chain of the antique vase was interrupted in the 19th century, making its authenticity uncertain.
Origins of provenance
from French 'provenir', meaning 'to come from'
Summary: provenance in Brief
The term 'provenance' [ˈprɒvənəns] refers to the origin or earliest known history of something, such as a work of art or an artifact. It can also denote the beginning of something's existence. Examples include 'The painting's provenance was traced back to the 16th century.' and 'The museum has strict policies regarding the provenance of its artifacts.' Provenance extends into phrases like 'provenance research,' which traces the ownership history of an object, and 'provenance claim,' which asserts ownership.
