Case study two - step 7:
Assess significance against the criteria
The main criteria are historic, aesthetic, scientific and social values. Determine the degree of significance by assessing against the comparative criteria – provenance, rarity, representativeness, condition and integrity, and interpretive potential. The criteria will help you analyse and define the object’s significance.
Cabbage tree hat example:
The hat is primarily of historic significance. It is both rare and representative of vernacular bush dress, in excellent condition, and well-provenanced. Its provenance could be argued as providing research significance as a reference point for unprovenanced cabbage tree hats. It may also have some aesthetic value related to the quality of craftsmanship and as a fine example of straw plaiting.