Sculptures are often delicate and prone to damage. When it comes to antiques, they have long outlived the lifespan imagined by the artists who created them centuries ago. Even metal sculptures have sensitive surfaces weakened by corrosive processes and the harsh impact of time. That’s why sculpture packing and shipping are the tasks that should be planned and executed in partnership with experts to avoid accidental damage or loss of art legacy. Here are some not-that-obvious recommendations from the Metropolitan Museum’s experts, related to sculpture transportation.

Rules of Handling Large Sculptures

Experts from the Met recommend starting with the sculpture’s weight assessment to determine how many people are needed to move it. The rule of thumb is not to exceed 50lb of weight per person. Thus, if your sculpture weighs more than 50lb, at least two people are required to move it. It’s important to move a sculpture prepared for packing on a rubber-wheeled flat truck, which will guarantee smooth movement without cracking risks.

Ins and Outs of Sculpture Transportation

To pack a sculpture, you need to detach it from the pedestal first, moving each part separately. If possible, the sculpture should always be kept vertical at all stages of packing, loading, and shipping. However, if its packaging requires laying it down, all weak points should be supported with padding in advance. If some of the sculpture’s parts are too large and heavy, the handling team should use rigging equipment.

Handling Small and Medium-Sized Sculptures

Even though handling small and medium-sized sculptures seems to be nothing special, this process is also carefully regulated by industry standards. The Met’s experts recommend using two hands to move such objects, with a firm grip used instead of a right squeeze to protect delicate materials from cracking. It’s banned to lift an antique sculpture by its handles or protruding parts, as they may detach from the fragile structure. Internal moves of this sculpture type are recommended on a hand-held tray or a padded rubber-wheeled tray truck to prevent any vibration during transportation.

Entrust Your Sculpture Packing and Shipping Tasks to Pros

Even if you handle sculptures properly during the moving and packing stage, their shipping is also a source of risk. To minimize it, work with seasoned professionals like Fine Art Shippers to guarantee end-to-end safety for your art without emergencies. Our art handlers are highly qualified, and an extensive portfolio of success stories of moving delicate sculptures says more than a thousand words about our ability to handle your art with care.