Packing Breakables and Valuables

General

Fragile items should be wrapped in tissue or bubble wrap with plenty of padding, and the box marked 'FRAGILE' or 'GLASS' in large red letters.

Paintings and Mirrors

• Securely wrap in corrugated cardboard or foam sheeting.
• Protect the corners with pads of bubble wrap, then seal in a polythene parcel. You can also buy special cardboard corner protectors and picture boxes.
• Load paintings upright, supported on soft padded and strapped to the van sides with flat webbing.
• Crated paintings should also travel upright and be secured.

China and Glass

• Wrap each piece individually, including lids. Wrap first in tissue, then in bubble wrap, and secure with masking tape.
• Don't use newspaper, as the print will rub on to the china and you will be faced with a mountain of washing-up.
• Pay particular attention to protrusions, such as teapot spouts and handles. Pack them with wads of rolled or folded tissue.
• Fill hollow vessels with scrunched paper.
• Plates should be individually wrapped and then stood on their side in the box - don't lay them flat, as all the weight would be on the bottom plate, and if the box is set down too heavily the bottom plate could break.
• Glasses should be individually wrapped and packed standing up; they're stronger when standing than if laid on their side.

Long Case Clocks

Grandfather and grandmother clocks must be dismantled before moving. If you decide to do it yourself:

• Wait until the clock has wound down.
• Remove the hood (there maybe swivelling catch inside the case).
• Lift the weights off their pulleys.
• Stabilise the movement with one hand on the edge of the face.
• Lift the pendulum up and back off the suspension block, taking care not to damage the suspension spring.
• Lift the movement out. In some clocks you will need to unscrew the seat-board first.
• Wrap the pulleys carefully round the seat-board.
• Pack the movement in acid-free tissue paper in a padded box.

Pianos

• With a grand piano, the instrument is moved separately from its stand.
• Rods and linkages must be disconnected, and are sometimes difficult to re-engage. The pedals are loose once the rods have been disconnected - care needs to be taken to avoid catching them on the floor when the instrument is moved.
• Experts will put the piano in a padded jacket to move it on a trolley. It can take up to five people to negotiate stairs.

Silver

• Wrap in acid free tissue paper - newspaper is acidic and may cause tarnishing.
• Don't use cling film or plastic bags as condensation will form inside.