Provenance
/ˈprɒvənəns/noun
The origin, history, or documented ownership of an object, especially a work of art or historical artifact.
Did you know?The word ultimately descends from Latin venire, “to come,” linking provenance to a family of words about arrival, appearance, and things emerging into the world.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*gʷem-
“To go or come; an ancient root associated with movement toward a place.”
Classical Latin
Latin
prōvenīre
“To come forth, arise, originate, or proceed from something.”
Medieval Latin
Latin
provenientia
“Origin, source, or the fact of proceeding from something.”
15th Century
Old French
provenance
“Origin or source; literally the condition of coming forth.”
18th Century
French
provenance
“The origin or documented history of an object, especially in collecting and commerce.”
Modern English
English
provenance
“The recorded history of an object’s origin, ownership, and custody.”