provenance
UK: ˈprɒvənəns | US: ˈprɑːvənəns
n. the place of origin or earliest known history of something
n. (in art) the history of ownership of a valued object
The word "provenance" traces back to Latin provenire, combining pro- (forward) and venire (to come). It entered English via French in the late 18th century, initially used in art contexts to denote an object's chain of ownership. Over time, it broadened to signify any origin or historical source, reflecting its literal sense of "coming forth from a place."
The museum verified the painting's provenance through old auction records.
Scholars studied the manuscript's provenance to trace its medieval roots.
The artifact's provenance was unclear, raising doubts about its authenticity.
Wine labels often include the provenance to highlight quality.
Her research focused on the provenance of folklore traditions.