Location: Ston Easton Park
Service: Antique Artwork Packing, Specialist Wrapping & Storage
Project Type: Storage During Refurbishment Works
The Project
Now We’re Moving was trusted with the careful packing and storage of a substantial collection of antique paintings, pictures and mirrors from Ston Easton Park while the property undergoes extensive refurbishment works.
The collection filled an entire storage pod and included a wide variety of valuable and delicate pieces. With antique artwork, ornate frames and large mirrors involved, this was not a standard removal or storage job. Every item needed to be individually assessed, protected and prepared for storage using appropriate materials and handling techniques.
Some of the artwork had previously been wrapped by another party at an auction house. However, much of this wrapping was not suitable for the level of protection required for longer-term storage, particularly for valuable oil paintings and fragile antique frames.
Our team therefore spent approximately six hours carefully removing, checking and re-wrapping the collection before any of the pieces were placed into storage.
Preparing the Antique Artwork for Storage
Oil paintings and antique artwork require particular care because inappropriate wrapping materials can come into direct contact with the painted surface or trap moisture.
For each oil painting, we placed tissue paper over the painted surface before applying any additional protective wrapping. This provided a protective layer between the artwork and the outer packing materials while reducing the risk of direct moisture contact.
Each picture was then individually export wrapped.
The export wrap we use is designed to provide two different types of protection. The inner surface helps reduce the problems associated with condensation and sweating, while the outer surface provides a waterproof barrier. This makes it particularly useful when preparing valuable items for storage or transport where environmental conditions may vary.
We also paid close attention to the frames themselves. Many antique and decorative frames can be extremely fragile, particularly around corners, mouldings and raised detailing.
Where additional protection was required, our team made cardboard edging specifically for the frame. This helped reinforce vulnerable areas and provided another layer of protection against knocks or movement while the artwork was being handled, transported and stored.
Specialist Crating for the Largest Painting
One piece in the collection required an entirely different level of preparation.
The largest painting measured approximately 3 metres by 2 metres and, together with its frame, was both extremely heavy and highly valuable. The artwork was valued at around £80,000, meaning careful planning was essential before it could be moved.
For this piece, we supplied a specially made plywood crate designed specifically around the dimensions of the painting.
The crate was internally padded with foam to help protect the artwork and frame from movement and impact. The crate itself weighed approximately 125 kg before the painting was placed inside.
Due to its overall dimensions, the empty crate had to be delivered on three pallets.
Once everything was prepared, four members of our team were required to safely pack the painting. The combination of its size, weight, fragile frame and significant value meant that the work could not be rushed.
Using multiple experienced team members also allowed the painting to remain fully supported throughout the packing process, reducing unnecessary pressure on either the artwork or the frame.
A Full Pod of Protected Artwork
By the end of the packing process, an entire storage pod had been filled with antique pictures, paintings and mirrors.
Rather than simply placing the existing wrapped items into storage, our approach was to make sure each individual piece had first been prepared to a standard we were comfortable with.
This involved removing unsuitable wrapping, applying protective tissue where necessary, export wrapping each item and strengthening fragile frames with individually prepared cardboard edging.
Taking additional time at the packing stage is particularly important when artwork may remain in storage throughout an extended building project.
Supporting the Refurbishment of Ston Easton Park
Ston Easton Park is undergoing a complete refurbishment, making secure temporary storage an important part of protecting the contents of the property while building works take place.
Construction and refurbishment projects can expose valuable contents to dust, moisture, vibration, accidental impact and constant movement around the property. Removing particularly valuable and fragile items from the working environment can therefore provide an additional level of protection.
For our team, it was especially rewarding to be trusted with such an important collection during the refurbishment of the building.
The combination of antique artwork, delicate mirrors, ornate frames and an exceptionally large high-value painting made this a project where careful preparation and specialist packing were essential.
From the smallest framed pieces through to the 3-metre painting requiring its own padded plywood crate, every item was treated individually and packed with its condition, construction and value in mind.
Specialist Artwork Packing and Storage
Whether a collection needs to be protected during renovation work, moved between properties or placed into longer-term storage, valuable artwork requires more than standard removal wrapping.
At Now We’re Moving, we can provide specialist packing, protective wrapping, bespoke crating and secure storage for paintings, mirrors, antiques and other valuable or fragile belongings.
The Ston Easton Park project is a good example of how detailed preparation, appropriate materials and experienced handling can help protect important items throughout a major refurbishment project.
