Description of Display Cases
– Display cases can be freestanding or built-in
– Built-in displays can be mounted on walls, act as room partitions, or hang from ceilings
– Some display cases are built into the floor, like at the Museum of Sydney
– There are three types of freestanding showcases: counter, middle floor, and wall
– Display cases are made by specialist companies and come in standard sizes or custom orders
Use in the United States military
– Shadow boxes are traditionally presented to retiring members of the United States Armed Forces
– These shadow boxes contain medals, awards, flags, and final rank badge
– Uniform display cases showcase entire military uniforms with correct insignia placement
– Some military personnel use well-worn trunks with lift-out trays as shadow boxes
– Trunks with shadow boxes provide storage space for uniforms and service memorabilia
Use in Galleries
– Various types of display cases include glass in-floor, wall-mounted, wall-sized, and free-standing
– Display cases can be used for models, antiques, trophies, and baked goods
– Tent-shaped displays are found in design museums
– Ceiling-suspended displays are also used
– Rare-book libraries can be displayed in cases
Related Concepts
– Automated weather map displays
– Woodworking techniques like box joints and fillets
– Other types of cabinets like china cabinets and curio cabinets
– Glass floors and picture frames
– Traditional Japanese furniture called tansu
References
– Museum of Sydney Guidebook
– The Shop Company’s information on display cases
– Museums Galleries Scotland’s guide on choosing display cases
– Conservation guidelines for exhibitions by the American Institute for Conservation of Historic & Artistic Works
– Book on the life and work of artist Joseph Cornell titled ‘Utopia Parkway’ Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Display_case
A display case (also called a showcase, display cabinet, shadow box, or vitrine) is a cabinet with one or often more transparent tempered glass (or plastic, normally acrylic for strength) surfaces, used to display objects for viewing. A display case may appear in an exhibition, museum, retail store, restaurant, or house. Often, labels are included with the displayed objects, providing information such as descriptions or prices. In a museum, the displayed cultural artifacts are normally part of the museum's collection, or are part of a temporary exhibition. In retail or a restaurant, the items are normally being offered for sale. A trophy case is used to display sports trophies or other awards.
