Mannequins & Mounts


Archival Framing
Mounting & Hanging Systems
Storage Mounts
Custom Mannequins & Mounts
Mannequin Focused Exhibits
On-site Exhibit Preparations & Mannequin Dressing


Archival Framing

Archival framing is the best means to protect your artifact and family heirloom, by surrounding it with inherently acid-free materials. Either the current frame or a new one is chosen from the selection at the studio of Spicer Art Conservation, LLC. The frame is sealed to prevent any dirt and dust to enter. Each mount is custom made and is always adapted to best fit the needs for the artifact and owner.

archframe1 archframe2 archframe4

[^ top]


Mounting & Hanging Systems

1. Velcro Mounting - Large and sturdy textiles, like quilts, coverlets, tapestries, and rugs can be displayed with the use of a Velcro system. The soft-side of the Velcro is prepared and hand stitched to the artifact. A thin-profile aluminum slat with the hook-side of the Velcro is attached to the wall.

2. Small & Thin-profile Mounts - Custom mounts are made for small-framed textiles, like needlework and embroideries. Maximum effort is used to retain all original materials, such as glass and wooden backing boards, within the framing. Isolating layers are incorporated to insure that archival materials only surround the artifacts.

3. Solid Supports for Large Artifacts - For very large textiles like Flags and Quilts a lightweight and non-torque material is necessary. Such a mount is constructed from aluminum honeycomb. The materials used in its construction do not release harmful pollutants and are buffered against acid migration. The surface of the mount is prepared with needle-punched batting and display fabric. The mount can be covered with ultra-violet light filtered Plexiglas secured with a powdered-coated metal frame in order to give the best overall protection.

chenangoCHS_AT samplerex_AT

[^ top]


Storage Mounts

The treatment of artifacts often includes the preparation of a rehousing or boxing unit as options for a full mount.

sink mat bw Banner Storage Mount rolled layers NYSMcoat_AT

[^ top]


Custom Mannequins & Mounts

Custom built mannequins and mounts are made from Ethafoam to fit the artifact and supported with an armature. The Ethafoam mannequins are individually carved, covered with soft needle-punched batting, stockinet and a display fabric when needed. When necessary detachable arms are included. Mounts are constructed in the same manner with Ethafoam or from acrylic.

A&S Protos w and wo head mannequin1 mannequin2 mount1 mount5 doll's mount display doll on mount

[^ top]


Mannequins Focused Exhibits

Spicer Art Conservation, LLC is able to constructed large groups of custom built mannequins and mounts for entire exhibits. Past projects have included specific designed of 33 mannequins each.

woven by grandmother2 woven by grandmothers
Woven by the Grandmothers, National Museum of American Indian

A&S Protos w and wo head
PB090013_1 PB090020_1 PB090019
America by Air, National Air & Space Museum
More about the mannequins' construction can be found at their website. Click here.

[^ top]

On Site Exhibit Preparations & Mannequin Dressing

For existing mounting systems that need to be retrofitted to exhibit your collections properly. For institutions that have costume collections that need to be exhibited on existing mannequin forms, Spicer Art Conservation, LLC will prepare your mannequins to properly fit their specific garments. Proper handling and dressing techniques are always used.

manq_dressed3 manq_dressed2 manq_dressed Dressing mannequin

[^ top]