Handle Your Art Right, From Purchase to Placement
At WOOD-LEE International Art Handler, we often see works in a state of disrepair, whether it be at a job site or coming into our warehouse for storage. In addition to our own regular handling services, we are able to connect you with anyone and everyone you might need when refurbishing a work or getting it ready to sell. However, there are some items you can consider when buying works of art and antiques to keep your collection handled as safely and responsibly as possible:
Make sure your art is traceable. Always buy art that has proper documentation, for your own purchase protection and create a file folder for it. Ultimately, you will need this documentation to sell it again, should you ever want to.
Make sure the piece you're looking at will fit in the spot you want it to go. Always measure doorways, hallways, and walls, no one wants to buy something and find out that it won’t even go through the door!
Know how you are getting this piece from where you bought it to where you plan to display it. If your work is heavy, large, or awkward, it might be in your best interest to hire an art handler to move and install your new work. WOOD-LEE International Art Handler can help you organize your move after your purchase.
In addition to fitting into the planned display space, make sure the space is appropriate for the type of work you are displaying. For example, works on paper shouldn’t be exposed to too much light and nothing should be put into an area with extremely high humidity, for preservation purposes.
Make sure you maintain your collection, store all the paperwork in an organized manner, and make sure you know who to contact in case of emergency. (Either from direct damage to work or results of a natural disaster.) Keep the documentation given to you with any restoration in your object’s file folder.
Make sure your work is insured against any possible disaster.
When your works aren’t on display, store them properly. At WOOD-LEE, we have special private and shared climate-monitored storage rooms, specifically climatized for optimum art storage.
By following these simple tips, your art collection will be moved, installed, displayed, stored, and protected against anything you can prevent on your own. The better maintained a work is, the better it will be for future generations to enjoy as well!