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Why do Valuable Artworks and Antiques Need to be Moved?
This article looks at the reasons why artworks are moved so often. Any move requires careful planning and handling, particularly if the pieces are valuable or large.
Hamiltons Removals can help you move your artwork, wherever it needs to go within the UK; we also offer fine art storage services as well.
This article is a three- to four-minute read.
The UK is one of the biggest art markets in the world, accounting for almost a fifth of the global art trade. This means many valuable pieces will be either heading out of, or into, the country, for a variety of reasons. Here, Hamiltons Removals look at some of the more specific reasons for moving artworks – and how we can help.
Antiques Transportation in the UK from Hamiltons Removals
We have more than three decades of experience in moving artwork as well as people. We understand the need to handle all items with care and respect. For more details about our antiques transportation services – which can include shipping and storage – follow this link.
The Global Art Market
The global art market last year was worth around £44 billion. The figure takes into account commission and transportation costs, meaning there is a lot of art and antiques being moved between auction houses, dealers and buyers.
House Moves
Private collectors and households with artworks move house, just like anyone else. Some of the pieces may not have much monetary value, but it is still highly prized by the owners.
This is particularly true if the pieces are part of an inheritance. Antiques and other heirlooms can be passed down through generations of the same family, often as the result of a special bequest. Whatever the reason, it still usually means moving the artwork from one place to another.
Exhibitions and Loans
Many museums and galleries have pieces which are on loan from other institutions. For instance, the National Gallery in London has loaned out works by Constable, Turner, Monet, Vermeer and many other artists within the last 18 months. These have been exhibited in Cambridge, Bristol, Edinburgh, York and many other locations in the UK and overseas.
These loans may be to ensure the pieces reach a wider audience, or to commemorate a particular anniversary, or to help with academic research. Not only do the pieces have to be transported when loaned out, they also need to be transported back to their original destination once the loan period is over.
Conservation Work
Artwork, and particularly paintings, often need to be restored to guard against ageing, dirt, and environmental pollutants. Specialists repair tears, cracks and discolouring to return the piece closer to its original appearance.
While many of the larger museums and galleries have their own conservation studios on site, many smaller institutions don’t. If they want a piece restored, they have the choice of sending it to one of their bigger neighbours, or to one of the independent, privately-owned studios which operate across the UK. These offer specialised services to private collectors, art dealers and auction houses as well.
Storage
Sometimes pieces need to be put into storage, not because they need to be restored, but because their original home is undergoing refurbishment works. In cases like these, the works need to be stored in strictly controlled environments (relating mainly to the temperature and humidity) to ensure it isn’t damaged.
Antiques Transportation and Fine Art Storage from Norfolk-based Hamiltons Removals
At Hamiltons Removals, we can transport your artwork anywhere in the UK by land, sea or air. When it comes to storage, we can offer you several options, including 24/7 manned security storage and temperature-controlled environments for ‘Museum’ quality pieces.
And when it comes to packing materials, we stock soft wrapping materials and full museum specification cases.
So whether you are an auction house, a collector, a museum curator – or maybe you just have some artwork or antiques and are moving house – we can help.
For more details, you can email fineart@hamiltonsremovals.co.uk or call us on 01379 855203.
FAQS:
What are the biggest challenges when moving artwork?
The biggest challenges are environmental factors like temperature and humidity, physical damage from improper packing and handling, and the unique requirements for different types of artwork, like sculptures or large paintings. Sculptures in particular can be large and irregularly shaped. Custom-built storage solutions may be necessary.
Does Hamiltons Removals sell its own packaging materials?
Yes, we stock a range of high-quality packaging materials in our online shop. These include double-walled cartons, bubblewrap and packing paper, and bespoke products such as cartons for bikes, golf clubs, TVs, DVDs, and glassware.
However, if you have anything which is particularly valuable – including artwork and antiques – then we would recommend having it packed (and unpacked) by our team of trained professionals.
Can Hamiltons store items other than artworks?
Yes, we have two Safe’N’Stored sites, at Harleston and Aldeby. The former has a number of self-storage rooms which can be rented for as little as £65 a month, while the latter has self-storage containers which are ideal for larger items such as vehicles and caravans. (Prices for these units start at £52 a month plus VAT).
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