How to Pack or Wrap Sculptures or Statues

Sculptures and statues are works of art that can be very delicate and easily damaged if not taken care of properly. That's why it's important to protect them with the right amount of packaging and wrapping when you're getting ready for your move.

All sculptures and statues tend to be very different from each other, owing to their unique and unusual shapes, which make them especially difficult to pack and move. And yet because of their fragile nature, you must pack them perfectly. Here's a step-by-step procedure on how to pack sculpture for shipping.

Packing statues and sculptures in boxes

Before you start packing your sculptures and statues, first make an inventory of your whole collection so that you will have a complete idea of the items that you have to pack and an idea of the quantity of each packing material that you'll need.

• Things you'll need : For packing sculptures and statues, you should have these packing supplies:
  • Bubble wrap
  • A box that is bigger in size than the item
  • Packing tape
  • Shredded paper or packing peanuts.
• Identify the size of the statue : To pack the sculptures like a pro you will first need to identify the size of the statue or the sculpture. If it is possible to disassemble it, you should do so, that way you can pack each part separately in order to provide maximum protection. If the sculpture is small and can directly fit into one of the boxes, then there is no need to disassemble it and you can wrap and pack it normally.
• Wrap the sculpture : Once you got the necessary packing materials and identify the size of the statue, you can now start packing it with packing wrap, newsprint or whatever other materials you've obtained to wrap your statue or sculpture.

  To do this, simply use the following steps:

  • Wrap the upper half of the sculpture or statue twice, all the way around and then seal it with packing tape.
  • Then, wrap the bottom half of the sculpture twice as well and seal it with packing tape.

    Tip: Remember to cover the middle of the sculpture or statue as well; wrap the part where the two halves meet, covering up any gap in the wrapping to keep every inch protected. It is also important to remember to pack them carefully, as the very delicate designs of some sculpture and statues can be damaged quite easily if they are jostled around during the move.

  • Finally, reinforce the bubble wrap with the help of some packing tape and seal it properly at each end.
• Fill the empty space : Place the wrapped statue in an upright position inside the box that you have chosen for it. Then, fill one-third of the empty space inside the box with shredded paper or packing peanuts to create a buffer that will protect the sculpture or statue while it's in transit. This is to ensure that the sculpture doesn't move too much inside the box during its shipment, which can damage it.
• Tape the box and label it: Once everything is done, shut the box and seal it with packing tape. Finally, remember to label it "Fragile". This will let your movers know that they should handle the box with extra care during the move.

Packing larger sculptures and statues without boxes

It can be difficult to pack and move larger sculptures or statues that are simply too big to fit in a moving box. For larger, more difficult sculptures and statues that exceed a few feet in height, the same approach can be used for wrapping it, only on a larger scale. For example, rather than wrapping it in newsprint or packing paper, you should use moving blankets or large rolls of bubble wrap for protection.

Make sure to wrap the entire sculpture in a moving blanket covering the whole length of the piece before securing it in place with packing tape. Using bubble wrap underneath moving blankets will provide the most protection for the statue.

Also, take extreme caution when wrapping it to make sure that all areas of the statue are properly covered and protected, as there won't be a box to provide additional protection from the elements or whatever else the statue is exposed to during the move.

Moving statues and sculptures

Load the statue on to a furniture dolly to transport it onto and off of the moving truck. Provide extra support to the statue by anchoring the base once it's on the moving truck so that it doesn't tip over during the trip.

Tip: It's best if you have at least one or two other people to help you move the statue so you can distribute the weight evenly at both ends.