diff --git a/sphinx/ext/autodoc/_loader.py b/sphinx/ext/autodoc/_loader.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..29ae3b9b69f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/sphinx/ext/autodoc/_loader.py
@@ -0,0 +1,528 @@
+"""Object loader for autodoc"""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import re
+from inspect import Parameter
+from pathlib import Path
+from types import SimpleNamespace
+from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, NewType, TypeVar
+
+from sphinx.ext.autodoc._docstrings import (
+    _docstring_lines_for_props,
+    _get_docstring_lines,
+)
+from sphinx.ext.autodoc._names import _parse_name
+from sphinx.ext.autodoc._property_types import (
+    _AssignStatementProperties,
+    _ClassDefProperties,
+    _FunctionDefProperties,
+    _ItemProperties,
+    _ModuleProperties,
+    _TypeStatementProperties,
+)
+from sphinx.ext.autodoc._sentinels import (
+    RUNTIME_INSTANCE_ATTRIBUTE,
+    SLOTS_ATTR,
+    UNINITIALIZED_ATTR,
+)
+from sphinx.ext.autodoc._signatures import _format_signatures
+from sphinx.ext.autodoc._type_comments import (
+    _ensure_annotations_from_type_comments,
+    _update_annotations_using_type_comments,
+)
+from sphinx.ext.autodoc.importer import _import_object
+from sphinx.ext.autodoc.mock import ismock
+from sphinx.locale import __
+from sphinx.util import inspect, logging
+from sphinx.util.inspect import safe_getattr
+from sphinx.util.typing import get_type_hints, restify, stringify_annotation
+
+if TYPE_CHECKING:
+    from collections.abc import Mapping, MutableSet, Sequence
+    from typing import Any
+
+    from sphinx.config import Config
+    from sphinx.environment import _CurrentDocument
+    from sphinx.events import EventManager
+    from sphinx.ext.autodoc._directive_options import _AutoDocumenterOptions
+    from sphinx.ext.autodoc._property_types import _AutodocFuncProperty, _AutodocObjType
+    from sphinx.ext.autodoc.importer import _AttrGetter, _ImportedObject
+
+logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
+
+_hide_value_re = re.compile(r'^:meta \s*hide-value:( +|$)')
+
+
+def _load_object_by_name(
+    *,
+    name: str,
+    objtype: _AutodocObjType,
+    mock_imports: list[str],
+    type_aliases: dict[str, Any] | None,
+    current_document: _CurrentDocument,
+    config: Config,
+    events: EventManager,
+    get_attr: _AttrGetter,
+    options: _AutoDocumenterOptions,
+    parent_modname: str | None = None,
+    ref_context: Mapping[str, str | None],
+    reread_always: MutableSet[str],
+) -> _ItemProperties | None:
+    """Import and load the object given by *name*."""
+    parsed = _parse_name(
+        name=name,
+        objtype=objtype,
+        current_document=current_document,
+        ref_context=ref_context,
+    )
+    if parsed is None:
+        return None
+    module_name, parts, args, retann = parsed
+
+    # Import the module and get the object to document
+    im = _import_object(
+        module_name=module_name,
+        obj_path=parts,
+        mock_imports=mock_imports,
+        get_attr=get_attr,
+        obj_type=objtype,
+        type_aliases=type_aliases,
+    )
+    if im is None:
+        # See BuildEnvironment.note_reread()
+        reread_always.add(current_document.docname)
+        return None
+
+    # Assemble object properties from the imported object.
+    parent = im.parent
+    props = _make_props_from_imported_object(
+        im,
+        config=config,
+        events=events,
+        get_attr=get_attr,
+        module_name=module_name,
+        objtype=objtype,
+        parts=parts,
+    )
+    if props is None:
+        return None
+
+    if options.class_doc_from is not None:
+        class_doc_from = options.class_doc_from
+    else:
+        class_doc_from = config.autoclass_content
+
+    docstrings = _get_docstring_lines(
+        props,
+        class_doc_from=class_doc_from,
+        get_attr=get_attr,
+        inherit_docstrings=config.autodoc_inherit_docstrings,
+        parent=parent,
+        tab_width=options._tab_width,
+    )
+    if docstrings:
+        for docstring_lines in docstrings:
+            for line in docstring_lines:
+                if _hide_value_re.match(line):
+                    props._docstrings_has_hide_value = True
+                    break
+
+    # format the object's signature, if any
+    try:
+        signatures = _format_signatures(
+            args=args,
+            retann=retann,
+            autodoc_annotations=current_document.autodoc_annotations,
+            config=config,
+            docstrings=docstrings,
+            events=events,
+            get_attr=get_attr,
+            parent=parent,
+            options=options,
+            props=props,
+        )
+    except Exception as exc:
+        msg = __('error while formatting signature for %s: %s')
+        logger.warning(msg, props.full_name, exc, type='autodoc')
+        return None
+    props.signatures = tuple(
+        f'{args} -> {retann}' if retann else str(args) for args, retann in signatures
+    )
+
+    props.docstring_lines = _docstring_lines_for_props(
+        docstrings,
+        props=props,
+        parent_modname=parent_modname,
+        events=events,
+        options=options,
+    )
+
+    return props
+
+
+def _make_props_from_imported_object(
+    im: _ImportedObject,
+    *,
+    config: Config,
+    events: EventManager,
+    get_attr: _AttrGetter,
+    module_name: str,
+    objtype: _AutodocObjType,
+    parts: tuple[str, ...],
+) -> _ItemProperties | None:
+    parent = im.parent
+    object_name = im.object_name
+    obj = im.obj
+    obj_properties: set[_AutodocFuncProperty] = set()
+
+    if objtype == 'module':
+        try:
+            mod_origin = im.module.__spec__.origin  # type: ignore[union-attr]
+        except AttributeError:
+            file_path = None
+        else:
+            file_path = Path(mod_origin) if mod_origin is not None else None
+
+        mod_all = safe_getattr(obj, '__all__', None)
+        if isinstance(mod_all, (list, tuple)) and all(
+            isinstance(e, str) for e in mod_all
+        ):
+            mod_all = tuple(mod_all)
+        elif mod_all is not None:
+            # Invalid __all__ found.
+            msg = __('Ignoring invalid __all__ in module %s: %r')
+            logger.warning(msg, module_name, mod_all, type='autodoc')
+            mod_all = None
+
+        return _ModuleProperties(
+            obj_type=objtype,
+            module_name=module_name,
+            docstring_lines=(),
+            file_path=file_path,
+            all=mod_all,
+            _obj=obj,
+            _obj___module__=obj.__name__,
+        )
+
+    if objtype in {'class', 'exception'}:
+        if isinstance(obj, (NewType, TypeVar)):
+            obj_module_name = getattr(obj, '__module__', module_name)
+            if obj_module_name != module_name and module_name.startswith(
+                obj_module_name
+            ):
+                bases = module_name[len(obj_module_name) :].strip('.').split('.')
+                parts = tuple(bases) + parts
+                module_name = obj_module_name
+
+        if orig_bases := inspect.getorigbases(obj):
+            # A subclass of generic types
+            # refs: PEP-560 <https://peps.python.org/pep-0560/>
+            obj_bases = list(orig_bases)
+        elif hasattr(obj, '__bases__') and obj.__bases__:
+            # A normal class
+            obj_bases = list(obj.__bases__)
+        else:
+            obj_bases = []
+        full_name = '.'.join((module_name, *parts))
+        events.emit(
+            'autodoc-process-bases',
+            full_name,
+            obj,
+            SimpleNamespace(),
+            obj_bases,
+        )
+        if config.autodoc_typehints_format == 'short':
+            mode = 'smart'
+        else:
+            mode = 'fully-qualified-except-typing'
+        base_classes = tuple(restify(cls, mode=mode) for cls in obj_bases)  # type: ignore[arg-type]
+
+        return _ClassDefProperties(
+            obj_type=objtype,  # type: ignore[arg-type]
+            module_name=module_name,
+            parts=parts,
+            docstring_lines=(),
+            bases=getattr(obj, '__bases__', None),
+            _obj=obj,
+            _obj___module__=get_attr(obj, '__module__', None),
+            _obj___name__=getattr(obj, '__name__', None),
+            _obj___qualname__=getattr(obj, '__qualname__', None),
+            _obj_bases=base_classes,
+            _obj_is_new_type=isinstance(obj, NewType),
+            _obj_is_typevar=isinstance(obj, TypeVar),
+        )
+
+    if objtype in {'function', 'decorator'}:
+        if inspect.isstaticmethod(obj, cls=parent, name=object_name):
+            obj_properties.add('staticmethod')
+        if inspect.isclassmethod(obj):
+            obj_properties.add('classmethod')
+        if inspect.iscoroutinefunction(obj) or inspect.isasyncgenfunction(obj):
+            obj_properties.add('async')
+
+        return _FunctionDefProperties(
+            obj_type=objtype,  # type: ignore[arg-type]
+            module_name=module_name,
+            parts=parts,
+            docstring_lines=(),
+            properties=frozenset(obj_properties),
+            _obj=obj,
+            _obj___module__=get_attr(obj, '__module__', None),
+            _obj___name__=getattr(obj, '__name__', None),
+            _obj___qualname__=getattr(obj, '__qualname__', None),
+        )
+
+    if objtype == 'method':
+        # to distinguish classmethod/staticmethod
+        obj_ = parent.__dict__.get(object_name, obj)
+        if inspect.isstaticmethod(obj_, cls=parent, name=object_name):
+            obj_properties.add('staticmethod')
+        elif (
+            inspect.is_classmethod_like(obj_)
+            or inspect.is_singledispatch_method(obj_)
+            and inspect.is_classmethod_like(obj_.func)
+        ):
+            obj_properties.add('classmethod')
+        if inspect.isabstractmethod(obj_):
+            obj_properties.add('abstractmethod')
+        if inspect.iscoroutinefunction(obj_) or inspect.isasyncgenfunction(obj_):
+            obj_properties.add('async')
+
+        return _FunctionDefProperties(
+            obj_type=objtype,
+            module_name=module_name,
+            parts=parts,
+            docstring_lines=(),
+            properties=frozenset(obj_properties),
+            _obj=obj,
+            _obj___module__=get_attr(obj, '__module__', None),
+            _obj___name__=getattr(obj, '__name__', None),
+            _obj___qualname__=getattr(obj, '__qualname__', None),
+        )
+
+    if objtype == 'property':
+        if not inspect.isproperty(obj):
+            # Support for class properties. Note: these only work on Python 3.9.
+            __dict__ = safe_getattr(parent, '__dict__', {})
+            obj = __dict__.get(parts[-1])
+            if isinstance(obj, classmethod) and inspect.isproperty(obj.__func__):
+                obj = obj.__func__
+                obj_properties.add('classmethod')
+            else:
+                return None
+        if inspect.isabstractmethod(obj):
+            obj_properties.add('abstractmethod')
+
+        # get property return type annotation
+        obj_property_type_annotation = None
+        if safe_getattr(obj, 'fget', None):  # property
+            func = obj.fget  # type: ignore[union-attr]
+        elif safe_getattr(obj, 'func', None):  # cached_property
+            func = obj.func  # type: ignore[union-attr]
+        else:
+            func = None
+        if func is not None:
+            # update the annotations of the property getter
+            if config.autodoc_use_type_comments:
+                _update_annotations_using_type_comments(func, False)
+
+            try:
+                signature = inspect.signature(
+                    func, type_aliases=config.autodoc_type_aliases
+                )
+            except TypeError as exc:
+                full_name = '.'.join((module_name, *parts))
+                logger.warning(
+                    __('Failed to get a function signature for %s: %s'),
+                    full_name,
+                    exc,
+                )
+                pass
+            except ValueError:
+                pass
+            else:
+                if config.autodoc_typehints_format == 'short':
+                    mode = 'smart'
+                else:
+                    mode = 'fully-qualified-except-typing'
+                if signature.return_annotation is not Parameter.empty:
+                    short_literals = config.python_display_short_literal_types
+                    obj_property_type_annotation = stringify_annotation(
+                        signature.return_annotation,
+                        mode,  # type: ignore[arg-type]
+                        short_literals=short_literals,
+                    )
+
+        return _FunctionDefProperties(
+            obj_type=objtype,
+            module_name=module_name,
+            parts=parts,
+            docstring_lines=(),
+            properties=frozenset(obj_properties),
+            _obj=obj,
+            _obj___module__=get_attr(parent or obj, '__module__', None) or module_name,
+            _obj___name__=getattr(parent or obj, '__name__', None),
+            _obj___qualname__=getattr(parent or obj, '__qualname__', None),
+            _obj_property_type_annotation=obj_property_type_annotation,
+        )
+
+    if objtype == 'data':
+        # Update __annotations__ to support type_comment and so on
+        _ensure_annotations_from_type_comments(parent)
+
+        # obtain annotation
+        annotations = get_type_hints(
+            parent,
+            None,
+            config.autodoc_type_aliases,
+            include_extras=True,
+        )
+        if config.autodoc_typehints_format == 'short':
+            mode = 'smart'
+        else:
+            mode = 'fully-qualified-except-typing'
+        if parts[-1] in annotations:
+            short_literals = config.python_display_short_literal_types
+            type_annotation = stringify_annotation(
+                annotations[parts[-1]],
+                mode,  # type: ignore[arg-type]
+                short_literals=short_literals,
+            )
+        else:
+            type_annotation = None
+
+        if (
+            obj is RUNTIME_INSTANCE_ATTRIBUTE
+            or obj is SLOTS_ATTR
+            or obj is UNINITIALIZED_ATTR
+        ):
+            obj_sentinel = obj
+        else:
+            obj_sentinel = None
+
+        return _AssignStatementProperties(
+            obj_type=objtype,
+            module_name=module_name,
+            parts=parts,
+            docstring_lines=(),
+            value=...,
+            annotation='',
+            class_var=False,
+            instance_var=False,
+            _obj=obj,
+            _obj___module__=get_attr(parent or obj, '__module__', None) or module_name,
+            _obj_is_generic_alias=inspect.isgenericalias(obj),
+            _obj_is_attribute_descriptor=inspect.isattributedescriptor(obj),
+            _obj_is_mock=ismock(obj),
+            _obj_is_sentinel=obj_sentinel,
+            _obj_repr_rst=inspect.object_description(obj),
+            _obj_type_annotation=type_annotation,
+        )
+
+    if objtype == 'attribute':
+        if _is_slots_attribute(parent=parent, obj_path=parts):
+            obj = SLOTS_ATTR
+        elif inspect.isenumattribute(obj):
+            obj = obj.value
+        if parent:
+            # Update __annotations__ to support type_comment and so on
+            _ensure_annotations_from_type_comments(parent)
+
+        # obtain annotation
+        annotations = get_type_hints(
+            parent,
+            None,
+            config.autodoc_type_aliases,
+            include_extras=True,
+        )
+        if config.autodoc_typehints_format == 'short':
+            mode = 'smart'
+        else:
+            mode = 'fully-qualified-except-typing'
+        if parts[-1] in annotations:
+            short_literals = config.python_display_short_literal_types
+            type_annotation = stringify_annotation(
+                annotations[parts[-1]],
+                mode,  # type: ignore[arg-type]
+                short_literals=short_literals,
+            )
+        else:
+            type_annotation = None
+
+        if (
+            obj is RUNTIME_INSTANCE_ATTRIBUTE
+            or obj is SLOTS_ATTR
+            or obj is UNINITIALIZED_ATTR
+        ):
+            obj_sentinel = obj
+        else:
+            obj_sentinel = None
+
+        return _AssignStatementProperties(
+            obj_type=objtype,
+            module_name=module_name,
+            parts=parts,
+            docstring_lines=(),
+            value=...,
+            annotation='',
+            class_var=False,
+            instance_var=False,
+            _obj=obj,
+            _obj___module__=get_attr(obj, '__module__', None),
+            _obj_is_generic_alias=inspect.isgenericalias(obj),
+            _obj_is_attribute_descriptor=inspect.isattributedescriptor(obj),
+            _obj_is_mock=ismock(obj),
+            _obj_is_sentinel=obj_sentinel,
+            _obj_repr_rst=inspect.object_description(obj),
+            _obj_type_annotation=type_annotation,
+        )
+
+    if objtype == 'type':
+        obj_module_name = getattr(obj, '__module__', module_name)
+        if obj_module_name != module_name and module_name.startswith(obj_module_name):
+            bases = module_name[len(obj_module_name) :].strip('.').split('.')
+            parts = tuple(bases) + parts
+            module_name = obj_module_name
+
+        if config.autodoc_typehints_format == 'short':
+            mode = 'smart'
+        else:
+            mode = 'fully-qualified-except-typing'
+        short_literals = config.python_display_short_literal_types
+        ann = stringify_annotation(
+            obj.__value__,
+            mode,  # type: ignore[arg-type]
+            short_literals=short_literals,
+        )
+        return _TypeStatementProperties(
+            obj_type=objtype,
+            module_name=module_name,
+            parts=parts,
+            docstring_lines=(),
+            _obj=obj,
+            _obj___module__=get_attr(obj, '__module__', None),
+            _obj___name__=getattr(obj, '__name__', None),
+            _obj___qualname__=getattr(obj, '__qualname__', None),
+            _obj___value__=ann,
+        )
+
+    return _ItemProperties(
+        obj_type=objtype,
+        module_name=module_name,
+        parts=parts,
+        docstring_lines=(),
+        _obj=obj,
+        _obj___module__=get_attr(obj, '__module__', None),
+    )
+
+
+def _is_slots_attribute(*, parent: Any, obj_path: Sequence[str]) -> bool:
+    """Check the subject is an attribute in __slots__."""
+    try:
+        if parent___slots__ := inspect.getslots(parent):
+            return obj_path[-1] in parent___slots__
+        else:
+            return False
+    except (ValueError, TypeError):
+        return False
diff --git a/sphinx/ext/autodoc/_member_finder.py b/sphinx/ext/autodoc/_member_finder.py
index ad6b5fab5ed..db7bb1137e0 100644
--- a/sphinx/ext/autodoc/_member_finder.py
+++ b/sphinx/ext/autodoc/_member_finder.py
@@ -8,9 +8,9 @@
 from sphinx.errors import PycodeError
 from sphinx.events import EventManager
 from sphinx.ext.autodoc._directive_options import _AutoDocumenterOptions
+from sphinx.ext.autodoc._loader import _load_object_by_name
 from sphinx.ext.autodoc._property_types import _ClassDefProperties, _ModuleProperties
 from sphinx.ext.autodoc._sentinels import ALL, INSTANCE_ATTR, SLOTS_ATTR
-from sphinx.ext.autodoc.importer import _load_object_by_name
 from sphinx.ext.autodoc.mock import ismock, undecorate
 from sphinx.locale import __
 from sphinx.pycode import ModuleAnalyzer
diff --git a/sphinx/ext/autodoc/directive.py b/sphinx/ext/autodoc/directive.py
index 9b296783e92..90e7fc5da7b 100644
--- a/sphinx/ext/autodoc/directive.py
+++ b/sphinx/ext/autodoc/directive.py
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@
     _process_documenter_options,
 )
 from sphinx.ext.autodoc._generate import _generate_directives
-from sphinx.ext.autodoc.importer import _load_object_by_name
+from sphinx.ext.autodoc._loader import _load_object_by_name
 from sphinx.util import logging
 from sphinx.util.docutils import SphinxDirective, switch_source_input
 from sphinx.util.inspect import safe_getattr
diff --git a/sphinx/ext/autodoc/importer.py b/sphinx/ext/autodoc/importer.py
index 7712dffb671..6ee073428be 100644
--- a/sphinx/ext/autodoc/importer.py
+++ b/sphinx/ext/autodoc/importer.py
@@ -5,63 +5,33 @@
 import contextlib
 import importlib
 import os
-import re
 import sys
 import traceback
 import typing
 from importlib.abc import FileLoader
 from importlib.machinery import EXTENSION_SUFFIXES
 from importlib.util import decode_source, find_spec, module_from_spec, spec_from_loader
-from inspect import Parameter
 from pathlib import Path
-from types import SimpleNamespace
-from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, NewType, TypeVar
+from typing import TYPE_CHECKING
 
 from sphinx.errors import PycodeError
-from sphinx.ext.autodoc._docstrings import (
-    _docstring_lines_for_props,
-    _get_docstring_lines,
-)
-from sphinx.ext.autodoc._names import _parse_name
-from sphinx.ext.autodoc._property_types import (
-    _AssignStatementProperties,
-    _ClassDefProperties,
-    _FunctionDefProperties,
-    _ItemProperties,
-    _ModuleProperties,
-    _TypeStatementProperties,
-)
-from sphinx.ext.autodoc._sentinels import (
-    RUNTIME_INSTANCE_ATTRIBUTE,
-    SLOTS_ATTR,
-    UNINITIALIZED_ATTR,
-)
-from sphinx.ext.autodoc._signatures import _format_signatures
-from sphinx.ext.autodoc._type_comments import (
-    _ensure_annotations_from_type_comments,
-    _update_annotations_using_type_comments,
-)
+from sphinx.ext.autodoc._sentinels import RUNTIME_INSTANCE_ATTRIBUTE, UNINITIALIZED_ATTR
 from sphinx.ext.autodoc.mock import ismock, mock, undecorate
-from sphinx.locale import __
 from sphinx.pycode import ModuleAnalyzer
 from sphinx.util import inspect, logging
 from sphinx.util.inspect import (
     isclass,
     safe_getattr,
 )
-from sphinx.util.typing import get_type_hints, restify, stringify_annotation
+from sphinx.util.typing import get_type_hints
 
 if TYPE_CHECKING:
-    from collections.abc import Mapping, MutableSet, Sequence
+    from collections.abc import Sequence
     from importlib.machinery import ModuleSpec
     from types import ModuleType
     from typing import Any, Protocol
 
-    from sphinx.config import Config
-    from sphinx.environment import _CurrentDocument
-    from sphinx.events import EventManager
-    from sphinx.ext.autodoc._directive_options import _AutoDocumenterOptions
-    from sphinx.ext.autodoc._property_types import _AutodocFuncProperty, _AutodocObjType
+    from sphinx.ext.autodoc._property_types import _AutodocObjType
 
     class _AttrGetter(Protocol):
         def __call__(self, obj: Any, name: str, default: Any = ..., /) -> Any: ...
@@ -70,8 +40,6 @@ def __call__(self, obj: Any, name: str, default: Any = ..., /) -> Any: ...
 _NATIVE_SUFFIXES: frozenset[str] = frozenset({'.pyx', *EXTENSION_SUFFIXES})
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
-_hide_value_re = re.compile(r'^:meta \s*hide-value:( +|$)')
-
 
 class _ImportedObject:
     #: module containing the object to document
@@ -318,7 +286,9 @@ def _import_object(
     obj_path: Sequence[str],
     mock_imports: list[str],
     get_attr: _AttrGetter = safe_getattr,
-) -> _ImportedObject:
+    obj_type: _AutodocObjType,
+    type_aliases: dict[str, Any] | None,
+) -> _ImportedObject | None:
     """Import the object given by *module_name* and *obj_path* and set
     it as *object*.
 
@@ -329,11 +299,33 @@ def _import_object(
             im = _import_from_module_and_path(
                 module_name=module_name, obj_path=obj_path, get_attr=get_attr
             )
-        if ismock(im.obj):
-            im.obj = undecorate(im.obj)
-        return im
-    except ImportError:  # NoQA: TRY203
-        raise
+    except ImportError as exc:
+        if obj_type == 'data':
+            im_ = _import_data_declaration(
+                module_name=module_name,
+                obj_path=obj_path,
+                mock_imports=mock_imports,
+                type_aliases=type_aliases,
+            )
+            if im_ is not None:
+                return im_
+        elif obj_type == 'attribute':
+            im_ = _import_attribute_declaration(
+                module_name=module_name,
+                obj_path=obj_path,
+                mock_imports=mock_imports,
+                type_aliases=type_aliases,
+                get_attr=get_attr,
+            )
+            if im_ is not None:
+                return im_
+
+        logger.warning(exc.args[0], type='autodoc', subtype='import_object')
+        return None
+
+    if ismock(im.obj):
+        im.obj = undecorate(im.obj)
+    return im
 
 
 def _import_data_declaration(
@@ -459,466 +451,3 @@ def _is_uninitialized_instance_attribute(
     """Check the subject is an annotation only attribute."""
     annotations = get_type_hints(parent, None, type_aliases, include_extras=True)
     return obj_path[-1] in annotations
-
-
-def _is_slots_attribute(*, parent: Any, obj_path: Sequence[str]) -> bool:
-    """Check the subject is an attribute in __slots__."""
-    try:
-        if parent___slots__ := inspect.getslots(parent):
-            return obj_path[-1] in parent___slots__
-        else:
-            return False
-    except (ValueError, TypeError):
-        return False
-
-
-def _load_object_by_name(
-    *,
-    name: str,
-    objtype: _AutodocObjType,
-    mock_imports: list[str],
-    type_aliases: dict[str, Any] | None,
-    current_document: _CurrentDocument,
-    config: Config,
-    events: EventManager,
-    get_attr: _AttrGetter,
-    options: _AutoDocumenterOptions,
-    parent_modname: str | None = None,
-    ref_context: Mapping[str, str | None],
-    reread_always: MutableSet[str],
-) -> _ItemProperties | None:
-    """Import and load the object given by *name*."""
-    parsed = _parse_name(
-        name=name,
-        objtype=objtype,
-        current_document=current_document,
-        ref_context=ref_context,
-    )
-    if parsed is None:
-        return None
-    module_name, parts, args, retann = parsed
-
-    # Import the module and get the object to document
-    try:
-        im = _import_object(
-            module_name=module_name,
-            obj_path=parts,
-            mock_imports=mock_imports,
-            get_attr=get_attr,
-        )
-    except ImportError as exc:
-        if objtype == 'data':
-            im_ = _import_data_declaration(
-                module_name=module_name,
-                obj_path=parts,
-                mock_imports=mock_imports,
-                type_aliases=type_aliases,
-            )
-        elif objtype == 'attribute':
-            im_ = _import_attribute_declaration(
-                module_name=module_name,
-                obj_path=parts,
-                mock_imports=mock_imports,
-                type_aliases=type_aliases,
-                get_attr=get_attr,
-            )
-        else:
-            im_ = None
-        if im_ is None:
-            logger.warning(exc.args[0], type='autodoc', subtype='import_object')
-            # See BuildEnvironment.note_reread()
-            reread_always.add(current_document.docname)
-            return None
-        else:
-            im = im_
-
-    # Assemble object properties from the imported object.
-    props: _ItemProperties
-    parent = im.parent
-    object_name = im.object_name
-    obj = im.obj
-    obj_properties: set[_AutodocFuncProperty] = set()
-    if objtype == 'module':
-        try:
-            mod_origin = im.module.__spec__.origin  # type: ignore[union-attr]
-        except AttributeError:
-            file_path = None
-        else:
-            file_path = Path(mod_origin) if mod_origin is not None else None
-
-        mod_all = safe_getattr(obj, '__all__', None)
-        if isinstance(mod_all, (list, tuple)) and all(
-            isinstance(e, str) for e in mod_all
-        ):
-            mod_all = tuple(mod_all)
-        elif mod_all is not None:
-            # Invalid __all__ found.
-            msg = __('Ignoring invalid __all__ in module %s: %r')
-            logger.warning(msg, module_name, mod_all, type='autodoc')
-            mod_all = None
-
-        props = _ModuleProperties(
-            obj_type=objtype,
-            module_name=module_name,
-            docstring_lines=(),
-            file_path=file_path,
-            all=mod_all,
-            _obj=obj,
-            _obj___module__=obj.__name__,
-        )
-    elif objtype in {'class', 'exception'}:
-        if isinstance(obj, (NewType, TypeVar)):
-            obj_module_name = getattr(obj, '__module__', module_name)
-            if obj_module_name != module_name and module_name.startswith(
-                obj_module_name
-            ):
-                bases = module_name[len(obj_module_name) :].strip('.').split('.')
-                parts = tuple(bases) + parts
-                module_name = obj_module_name
-
-        if orig_bases := inspect.getorigbases(obj):
-            # A subclass of generic types
-            # refs: PEP-560 <https://peps.python.org/pep-0560/>
-            obj_bases = list(orig_bases)
-        elif hasattr(obj, '__bases__') and obj.__bases__:
-            # A normal class
-            obj_bases = list(obj.__bases__)
-        else:
-            obj_bases = []
-        full_name = '.'.join((module_name, *parts))
-        events.emit(
-            'autodoc-process-bases',
-            full_name,
-            obj,
-            SimpleNamespace(),
-            obj_bases,
-        )
-        if config.autodoc_typehints_format == 'short':
-            mode = 'smart'
-        else:
-            mode = 'fully-qualified-except-typing'
-        base_classes = tuple(restify(cls, mode=mode) for cls in obj_bases)  # type: ignore[arg-type]
-
-        props = _ClassDefProperties(
-            obj_type=objtype,  # type: ignore[arg-type]
-            module_name=module_name,
-            parts=parts,
-            docstring_lines=(),
-            bases=getattr(obj, '__bases__', None),
-            _obj=obj,
-            _obj___module__=get_attr(obj, '__module__', None),
-            _obj___name__=getattr(obj, '__name__', None),
-            _obj___qualname__=getattr(obj, '__qualname__', None),
-            _obj_bases=base_classes,
-            _obj_is_new_type=isinstance(obj, NewType),
-            _obj_is_typevar=isinstance(obj, TypeVar),
-        )
-    elif objtype in {'function', 'decorator'}:
-        if inspect.isstaticmethod(obj, cls=parent, name=object_name):
-            obj_properties.add('staticmethod')
-        if inspect.isclassmethod(obj):
-            obj_properties.add('classmethod')
-        if inspect.iscoroutinefunction(obj) or inspect.isasyncgenfunction(obj):
-            obj_properties.add('async')
-
-        props = _FunctionDefProperties(
-            obj_type=objtype,  # type: ignore[arg-type]
-            module_name=module_name,
-            parts=parts,
-            docstring_lines=(),
-            properties=frozenset(obj_properties),
-            _obj=obj,
-            _obj___module__=get_attr(obj, '__module__', None),
-            _obj___name__=getattr(obj, '__name__', None),
-            _obj___qualname__=getattr(obj, '__qualname__', None),
-        )
-    elif objtype == 'method':
-        # to distinguish classmethod/staticmethod
-        obj_ = parent.__dict__.get(object_name, obj)
-        if inspect.isstaticmethod(obj_, cls=parent, name=object_name):
-            obj_properties.add('staticmethod')
-        elif (
-            inspect.is_classmethod_like(obj_)
-            or inspect.is_singledispatch_method(obj_)
-            and inspect.is_classmethod_like(obj_.func)
-        ):
-            obj_properties.add('classmethod')
-        if inspect.isabstractmethod(obj_):
-            obj_properties.add('abstractmethod')
-        if inspect.iscoroutinefunction(obj_) or inspect.isasyncgenfunction(obj_):
-            obj_properties.add('async')
-
-        props = _FunctionDefProperties(
-            obj_type=objtype,
-            module_name=module_name,
-            parts=parts,
-            docstring_lines=(),
-            properties=frozenset(obj_properties),
-            _obj=obj,
-            _obj___module__=get_attr(obj, '__module__', None),
-            _obj___name__=getattr(obj, '__name__', None),
-            _obj___qualname__=getattr(obj, '__qualname__', None),
-        )
-    elif objtype == 'property':
-        if not inspect.isproperty(obj):
-            # Support for class properties. Note: these only work on Python 3.9.
-            __dict__ = safe_getattr(parent, '__dict__', {})
-            obj = __dict__.get(parts[-1])
-            if isinstance(obj, classmethod) and inspect.isproperty(obj.__func__):
-                obj = obj.__func__
-                obj_properties.add('classmethod')
-            else:
-                return None
-        if inspect.isabstractmethod(obj):
-            obj_properties.add('abstractmethod')
-
-        # get property return type annotation
-        obj_property_type_annotation = None
-        if safe_getattr(obj, 'fget', None):  # property
-            func = obj.fget  # type: ignore[union-attr]
-        elif safe_getattr(obj, 'func', None):  # cached_property
-            func = obj.func  # type: ignore[union-attr]
-        else:
-            func = None
-        if func is not None:
-            # update the annotations of the property getter
-            if config.autodoc_use_type_comments:
-                _update_annotations_using_type_comments(func, False)
-
-            try:
-                signature = inspect.signature(
-                    func, type_aliases=config.autodoc_type_aliases
-                )
-            except TypeError as exc:
-                full_name = '.'.join((module_name, *parts))
-                logger.warning(
-                    __('Failed to get a function signature for %s: %s'),
-                    full_name,
-                    exc,
-                )
-                pass
-            except ValueError:
-                pass
-            else:
-                if config.autodoc_typehints_format == 'short':
-                    mode = 'smart'
-                else:
-                    mode = 'fully-qualified-except-typing'
-                if signature.return_annotation is not Parameter.empty:
-                    short_literals = config.python_display_short_literal_types
-                    obj_property_type_annotation = stringify_annotation(
-                        signature.return_annotation,
-                        mode,  # type: ignore[arg-type]
-                        short_literals=short_literals,
-                    )
-
-        props = _FunctionDefProperties(
-            obj_type=objtype,
-            module_name=module_name,
-            parts=parts,
-            docstring_lines=(),
-            properties=frozenset(obj_properties),
-            _obj=obj,
-            _obj___module__=get_attr(parent or obj, '__module__', None) or module_name,
-            _obj___name__=getattr(parent or obj, '__name__', None),
-            _obj___qualname__=getattr(parent or obj, '__qualname__', None),
-            _obj_property_type_annotation=obj_property_type_annotation,
-        )
-    elif objtype == 'data':
-        # Update __annotations__ to support type_comment and so on
-        _ensure_annotations_from_type_comments(parent)
-
-        # obtain annotation
-        annotations = get_type_hints(
-            parent,
-            None,
-            config.autodoc_type_aliases,
-            include_extras=True,
-        )
-        if config.autodoc_typehints_format == 'short':
-            mode = 'smart'
-        else:
-            mode = 'fully-qualified-except-typing'
-        if parts[-1] in annotations:
-            short_literals = config.python_display_short_literal_types
-            type_annotation = stringify_annotation(
-                annotations[parts[-1]],
-                mode,  # type: ignore[arg-type]
-                short_literals=short_literals,
-            )
-        else:
-            type_annotation = None
-
-        if (
-            obj is RUNTIME_INSTANCE_ATTRIBUTE
-            or obj is SLOTS_ATTR
-            or obj is UNINITIALIZED_ATTR
-        ):
-            obj_sentinel = obj
-        else:
-            obj_sentinel = None
-
-        props = _AssignStatementProperties(
-            obj_type=objtype,
-            module_name=module_name,
-            parts=parts,
-            docstring_lines=(),
-            value=...,
-            annotation='',
-            class_var=False,
-            instance_var=False,
-            _obj=obj,
-            _obj___module__=get_attr(parent or obj, '__module__', None) or module_name,
-            _obj_is_generic_alias=inspect.isgenericalias(obj),
-            _obj_is_attribute_descriptor=inspect.isattributedescriptor(obj),
-            _obj_is_mock=ismock(obj),
-            _obj_is_sentinel=obj_sentinel,
-            _obj_repr_rst=inspect.object_description(obj),
-            _obj_type_annotation=type_annotation,
-        )
-    elif objtype == 'attribute':
-        if _is_slots_attribute(parent=parent, obj_path=parts):
-            obj = SLOTS_ATTR
-        elif inspect.isenumattribute(obj):
-            obj = obj.value
-        if parent:
-            # Update __annotations__ to support type_comment and so on
-            _ensure_annotations_from_type_comments(parent)
-
-        # obtain annotation
-        annotations = get_type_hints(
-            parent,
-            None,
-            config.autodoc_type_aliases,
-            include_extras=True,
-        )
-        if config.autodoc_typehints_format == 'short':
-            mode = 'smart'
-        else:
-            mode = 'fully-qualified-except-typing'
-        if parts[-1] in annotations:
-            short_literals = config.python_display_short_literal_types
-            type_annotation = stringify_annotation(
-                annotations[parts[-1]],
-                mode,  # type: ignore[arg-type]
-                short_literals=short_literals,
-            )
-        else:
-            type_annotation = None
-
-        if (
-            obj is RUNTIME_INSTANCE_ATTRIBUTE
-            or obj is SLOTS_ATTR
-            or obj is UNINITIALIZED_ATTR
-        ):
-            obj_sentinel = obj
-        else:
-            obj_sentinel = None
-
-        props = _AssignStatementProperties(
-            obj_type=objtype,
-            module_name=module_name,
-            parts=parts,
-            docstring_lines=(),
-            value=...,
-            annotation='',
-            class_var=False,
-            instance_var=False,
-            _obj=obj,
-            _obj___module__=get_attr(obj, '__module__', None),
-            _obj_is_generic_alias=inspect.isgenericalias(obj),
-            _obj_is_attribute_descriptor=inspect.isattributedescriptor(obj),
-            _obj_is_mock=ismock(obj),
-            _obj_is_sentinel=obj_sentinel,
-            _obj_repr_rst=inspect.object_description(obj),
-            _obj_type_annotation=type_annotation,
-        )
-    elif objtype == 'type':
-        obj_module_name = getattr(obj, '__module__', module_name)
-        if obj_module_name != module_name and module_name.startswith(obj_module_name):
-            bases = module_name[len(obj_module_name) :].strip('.').split('.')
-            parts = tuple(bases) + parts
-            module_name = obj_module_name
-
-        if config.autodoc_typehints_format == 'short':
-            mode = 'smart'
-        else:
-            mode = 'fully-qualified-except-typing'
-        short_literals = config.python_display_short_literal_types
-        ann = stringify_annotation(
-            obj.__value__,
-            mode,  # type: ignore[arg-type]
-            short_literals=short_literals,
-        )
-        props = _TypeStatementProperties(
-            obj_type=objtype,
-            module_name=module_name,
-            parts=parts,
-            docstring_lines=(),
-            _obj=obj,
-            _obj___module__=get_attr(obj, '__module__', None),
-            _obj___name__=getattr(obj, '__name__', None),
-            _obj___qualname__=getattr(obj, '__qualname__', None),
-            _obj___value__=ann,
-        )
-    else:
-        props = _ItemProperties(
-            obj_type=objtype,
-            module_name=module_name,
-            parts=parts,
-            docstring_lines=(),
-            _obj=obj,
-            _obj___module__=get_attr(obj, '__module__', None),
-        )
-
-    if options.class_doc_from is not None:
-        class_doc_from = options.class_doc_from
-    else:
-        class_doc_from = config.autoclass_content
-
-    docstrings = _get_docstring_lines(
-        props,
-        class_doc_from=class_doc_from,
-        get_attr=get_attr,
-        inherit_docstrings=config.autodoc_inherit_docstrings,
-        parent=parent,
-        tab_width=options._tab_width,
-    )
-    if docstrings:
-        for docstring_lines in docstrings:
-            for line in docstring_lines:
-                if _hide_value_re.match(line):
-                    props._docstrings_has_hide_value = True
-                    break
-
-    # format the object's signature, if any
-    try:
-        signatures = _format_signatures(
-            args=args,
-            retann=retann,
-            autodoc_annotations=current_document.autodoc_annotations,
-            config=config,
-            docstrings=docstrings,
-            events=events,
-            get_attr=get_attr,
-            parent=parent,
-            options=options,
-            props=props,
-        )
-    except Exception as exc:
-        msg = __('error while formatting signature for %s: %s')
-        logger.warning(msg, props.full_name, exc, type='autodoc')
-        return None
-    props.signatures = tuple(
-        f'{args} -> {retann}' if retann else str(args) for args, retann in signatures
-    )
-
-    props.docstring_lines = _docstring_lines_for_props(
-        docstrings,
-        props=props,
-        parent_modname=parent_modname,
-        events=events,
-        options=options,
-    )
-
-    return props
diff --git a/sphinx/ext/autosummary/__init__.py b/sphinx/ext/autosummary/__init__.py
index 54f272c9963..72d0cc35394 100644
--- a/sphinx/ext/autosummary/__init__.py
+++ b/sphinx/ext/autosummary/__init__.py
@@ -67,10 +67,11 @@
 from sphinx import addnodes
 from sphinx.errors import PycodeError
 from sphinx.ext.autodoc._directive_options import _AutoDocumenterOptions
+from sphinx.ext.autodoc._loader import _load_object_by_name
 from sphinx.ext.autodoc._member_finder import _best_object_type_for_member
 from sphinx.ext.autodoc._sentinels import INSTANCE_ATTR
 from sphinx.ext.autodoc.directive import _AutodocAttrGetter
-from sphinx.ext.autodoc.importer import _load_object_by_name, import_module
+from sphinx.ext.autodoc.importer import import_module
 from sphinx.ext.autodoc.mock import mock
 from sphinx.locale import __
 from sphinx.pycode import ModuleAnalyzer
diff --git a/tests/test_ext_autodoc/autodoc_util.py b/tests/test_ext_autodoc/autodoc_util.py
index b96147c9c8f..233ec1829dc 100644
--- a/tests/test_ext_autodoc/autodoc_util.py
+++ b/tests/test_ext_autodoc/autodoc_util.py
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@
     _process_documenter_options,
 )
 from sphinx.ext.autodoc._generate import _generate_directives
-from sphinx.ext.autodoc.importer import _load_object_by_name
+from sphinx.ext.autodoc._loader import _load_object_by_name
 from sphinx.util.inspect import safe_getattr
 
 if TYPE_CHECKING:
diff --git a/tests/test_ext_autodoc/test_ext_autodoc.py b/tests/test_ext_autodoc/test_ext_autodoc.py
index 64fc2d0b1bc..69a0ce9a38f 100644
--- a/tests/test_ext_autodoc/test_ext_autodoc.py
+++ b/tests/test_ext_autodoc/test_ext_autodoc.py
@@ -23,10 +23,10 @@
 from sphinx.ext.autodoc._docstrings import _get_docstring_lines
 from sphinx.ext.autodoc._documenters import Documenter
 from sphinx.ext.autodoc._generate import _generate_directives
+from sphinx.ext.autodoc._loader import _load_object_by_name
 from sphinx.ext.autodoc._property_types import _ItemProperties
 from sphinx.ext.autodoc._sentinels import ALL
 from sphinx.ext.autodoc.directive import _AutodocAttrGetter
-from sphinx.ext.autodoc.importer import _load_object_by_name
 from sphinx.util.inspect import safe_getattr
 
 from tests.test_ext_autodoc.autodoc_util import do_autodoc