The advantages to this type of display it the inexpensive. The disadvantage is that this type of display is not as eye catching as other types. It will generally leave people seeing it as cheap and amateurish.
I personally do not like this type of display and would never use it. I think artifacts should be displayed in a way that accentuates them. I also would not cover any artifact with a lacquer or any finish. On bone artifacts I will rub them and let the oils from my skin shine them the way the Indian did when they created it.
Shadow Box - Many people opt to use a shadow box. This is a box made from a variety of substances from wood to cardboard. They are usually 1 1/2 - 2 1/2 inches deep. Artifacts can be attached many different ways, they will be mentioned later in how to attach artifacts.
Shadow boxes can range from the type you hang on the wall to the type with legs.
The advantages to using a shadow box is the ease to place artifacts under glass. This is nice for protection of the artifacts. They also come in a many different type of frames which allows you to find a style that suits your taste.
The disadvantages are mainly in the look of the frame. Most shadowboxes are not made to have a frame to accentuate the contents of the box. Many of them are plain. Though a plain boarder will not detract from the display, it will also not give it that little extra that is appealing to the eye.
I personally will use a shadowbox for very specific artifacts. These are usually the type that you want nothing detracting that attention away from. I would use a shadow box for a moccasin, large fiber objects, or large wooden objects. For these artifacts the beauty and power is in the artifact itself, nothing else needs added to detract from the artifact. One of the problems I have with shadow boxes is the cheapness of it. once again, anything that looks cheap will detract from the display.
Frame - This is another method commonly used. Frames used are the same type found in art stores that are designed for displaying art. They come in a varitiy of substances from plastic to metal and wood. They can be as plain or as fancy as you like. There are many ways to attach artifacts which will be touched on later.
The advantages are that they do come from fancy to plain. This allows you to find a frame to bring out the artifacts in a way that is pleasant and appealing.
Disadvantages include; they are not set up to have glass and artifacts that are very thick. The grove is usually only 1/4 - 1/2 inch. This is also the thickness of the glass and backing. You can add glass to a regular notched frame. Methods for adding glass is covered later.
As you can probably tell my favorite is the use of a frame. Lets face it, most artifacts that are in a collection are field grade. They may have a flake missing here and a chip there. They are still great artifacts, but they need that extra bump to catch the eye. I also like the fact that they stay in style. There are not many things that will still be stylish in 20-30 years. As the years pass so do the decor of your house. Quality frames will match anything you ever do with your house. I also like the fact that a quality looking frame is not always an expensive frame.
An example of this can be answered by another question. What would you be more likely to throw away, a loose picture on a piece of paper, or a nicely framed picture in a quality frame. Most people would keep the framed picture, even if they were not going to hang it on the wall, they would be hesitant to throw it away. The frame within itself will enhance the beauty of your display.
Choosing the right frame for your display is very much a personal preference. I'm going to describe a few different types of display and tell some advantages and disadvantages as per my own preference.
The types of displays I'm going to describe are the type that I have used or have come into contact with. Once again, if I leave some out you would like described or would like to give your preferences, e-mail me and I will be sure to post them on this page.
Next Page
Back to Tips Page
Main Page