Meaning & Definition of word "Provenance"

Provenance

/ˈprɒv.ən.əns/

1. The place of origin or earliest known history of something.
- Example: The provenance of the ancient artifact was traced back to a small village in Italy.
2. The history of ownership of a valued object or work of art.
- Example: The painting's provenance was well-documented, adding to its value at the auction.
3. The source or origin of something, especially of a piece of information or knowledge.
- Example: Scholars are careful to verify the provenance of the manuscripts before including them in their research.

From French 'provenance', meaning 'origin' or 'source'.

provenance research:

Investigating the origins and history of an object or artwork.

provenance data:

Information that traces the history and ownership of an item.

chain of provenance:

A sequence that outlines the previous ownership of an item.

authenticity:

The quality of being genuine or real.

heritage:

Valued objects and qualities such as cultural traditions inherited from the past.

lineage:

Direct descent from an ancestor; ancestry.

Meaning: Legacy

Example Sentence: He talks about his family's provenance like it’s a legacy he must uphold.

Meaning: Roots

Example Sentence: She likes to know her roots and the provenance of her family history.