1 INTRODUCTION

Much unnecessary damage to museum collections objects can be avoided with proper handling. Often, proper handling requires proper equipment. It is becoming widely recognized in the conservation profession that low-level vibrations, such as those transmitted through the vibration of hard cart wheels on a concrete floor, can cause damage to susceptible objects (CCI 1990; Marcon 1996).

Supports for large functional objects may have to be designed and constructed as an early part of the treatment scheme in order to have the object in the proper position to treat it. When large and heavy objects are properly supported and positioned, conditions are safe for both the conservator and the object. After treatment, the object can be kept on the support for movement and storage.

A full discussion of vibration and vibration mitigation methods is beyond the scope of this article. What will be discussed are two practical suggestions for devices that have been built and used at the Minnesota Historical Society for safely moving and holding objects.