A museum item is a RELIC or VASE. A RELIC is an object that has been preserved for its historical or sentimental value, such as a piece of clothing or a weapon from a past era. A VASE is a container used to hold flowers or other decorative items, usually made of glass, ceramic, or metal. Both relics and vases are often found in museums, where they are displayed to the public for educational and aesthetic purposes.