Home >> Hobbies >> Gemology

How to Display Items in a Collector's Cabinet or Shadow Boxes

You can easily display items in a collector's cabinet or shadow box. Doing so requires a little bit of planning and some artistry and sense of style, and the availability of items to display. However, setting up a display using a shadow box or collector's cabinet is a very simple procedure. Most shadow boxes and collector's cabinets are portable, but occasionally you will find built-in versions that either protrude to the outside of the house to display things to passersby, or set into a wall of an older home.

Things You'll Need

Shadow boxes or collector's cabinets
Collector's items
Measuring tape or ruler

Instructions

- 1
  Identify the type of collector's cabinet or shadow box you plan to use. You need to know this to determine how it opens. Many such display cases have simple opening mechanisms with a hinged wooden door or glass front door. Some, however, have more complicated mechanisms involving screws or keys and locks.
- 2
  Determine the type of display you want to show off. Do you have a particular collection, such as angel figurines or miniature cars and trucks? Or do you want to display a mix of things important to you, in an eclectic theme?
- 3
  Assess, if the items you want to display are of a moderate-to-large size, such as pieces of chinaware, if the shadow box or collector's case you have in mind is large enough to accommodate these display items. Measure the items and the distance between shelves in the display box or case you plan to use. Allow approximately ¾ inch above and on each side of the item for display to avoid a cluttered appearing presentation. Allow a greater distance between items and the shelf above them if that suits your taste.
- 4
  Determine, unless the display case you plan to use is a built-in, where you will place the shadow box or collector's cabinet. Locate your display case or cabinet in a place where it best blends in with and enhances your décor. For example, if you plan to display vintage china, you will want to locate your display case in a kitchen or dining room.
- 5
  Gather and organize the pieces you want to display. Place the items inside the shadow box with an attractive spacing. Space the items evenly or unevenly as appeals to you: you are the sole judge of what makes the display "attractive."

Gemology