Shadow Boxes:
I am particularly proud to offer a complete system to PERFECTLY display your most valuable and cherished items. It's a little complicated, but worth the effort for your very best. If you are not sure how to go about "shadow boxing", have a look at Shadow Boxes -History and HOW-TO.
Meantime, here are the steps to get you precisely what you want -first in outline and then in more detail.
Step 1:
With this system you first select the perfect size -width and height of the case and then the depth to perfectly showcase your item(s).
Step 2:
Next you select the appearance of the case -it's color, and the type of the wood used to make frame of the case door.
Step 3:
The next decisions involve the back to your case. If you need to attach a number of items, it might be easier for you to select pegboard for the back, or a solid back for simpler displays. Additionally, you may add shelves -oak or clear acrylic- if you order the case drilled.
Step 4:
Finally, you may select a cushiony upholstered insert that can be used to mount your item before the whole works is installed in the case. Or not -it's up to you.
Step 5:
Select a slanted base to put your collection on display on a flat surface. Also optional.
Step 1, select the size and shape of your case.
How to use this table:
The little graphics show each case to scale with a 4 inch coffee cup, BUT, for the best possible fit, break out a ruler or tape and measure your collection or item. Notice the black line on the edge? This represents the hinge, but cases may be turned any way you want -upside-down or sideways.
Wdth: |
Shadow-Box inside width: (all dimensionsin inches) | ||||||||
| Height: | 8" | 10" | 12" | 14" | 16" | 18" | 20" | 22" | 24" |
| 8" If you wish your case to be drilled for as many as 7 shelves -one inch apart- please add $3.00. |
 2" deep case $28 2x8 shelf $5 3" case $29 3x8 shelf $5 4" case $304x8 shelf $6 weight 7 lbs. Upholstered panel -$6.00 |
If you need a shadow boxes that is wider then it ishigh, it is best to select a tall case and then put it on it's side. Wide cases do not lend easily themselves to shelves but shelves can be added -with care- through the back. If you need wide shelves, check out my Sliding Cover Display Cases (Model Rail-Road Cases), or drop me an email and we will see what we can do. |
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| 10" For drilling for as many as 9 shelves one inch apart, add $4.00 |
2" deep $29 2x8 shelf $5 3" $30 3x8 shelf $5 4" $31 4x8 shelf $6 Weight 9 lbs. Upholstered panel $7.00 |
2" deep $30 2x10 shelf $5 3" $31 3x10 shelf $6 4" $32 4x10 shelf $7 Weight 9 lbs. Upholstered panel -$7.00 |
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If you are considering laying a shadow box on its side -in landscape- 2 interesting possibilities present themselves. First is to put the hinge at the top and dust is (largely) illuminated. The other possibility is to have me install a couple of drop chains and your shadow box becomes a drop-front-desk. A little one, and one that will not support much weight, but an interesting feature none-the-less. |
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| 12" For drilling for as many as 11 shelves one inch apart, add $5.00 |
2" deep $30 2x8 shelf $5 3" $31 3x8 shelf $5 4" $32 4x8 shelf $6 Weight 11 lbs. Upholstered panel $7 |
2" deep $31 2x10 shelf $5 3" $32 3x10 shelf $6 4" $33 4x10 shelf $7 Weight 12 lbs. Upholstered panel $7 |
2" deep $32 2x12 shelf $5 3" $33 3x12 shelf $7 4" $34 4x12 shelf $8 Weight 13 lbs. Upholstered panel $8 |
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Width: |
8" | 10" | 12" | 14" | 16" | 18" | 20" | 22" | 24" |
| 14" For drilling for as many as 13 shelves, add $6.00 |
 2" deep $31 2x8 shelf $5 3" $32 3x8 shelf $5 4" $33 4x8 shelf $6 Weight = 13 lbs. Padded panel $7 |
 2" deep $322x10 shelf $5 3" $33 3x10 shelf $6 4" $34 4x10 shelf $7 Weight = 14 lbs. Padded panel -$8 |
2" deep $33 2x12 shelf $5 3" $34 3x12 shelf $7 4" $35 4x12 shelf $8 Weight 15 lbs. Padded Panel $8 |
 2" deep $342x14 shelf $6 3" $35 3x14 shelf $7 4" $36 4x14 shelf $9 Weight16 lbs. Upholstered panel $9 |
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| 16" For drilling for as many as 15 shelves, add $7.00 |
2" deep $32 2x8 shelf $5 3" $33 3x8 shelf $5 4" $34 4x8 shelf $6 Weight 13 lbs. Padded panel $8 |
 2" deep $332x10 shelf $5 3" $34 3x10 shelf $6 4" $35 4x10 shelf $7 Weight = 14 lbs. Padded back $8 |
2" deep $36 2x12 shelf $5 3" $37 3x12 shelf $7 4" $38 4x12 shelf $8 Weight = 15 lbs. Padded panel -$9.00 |
2" deep $37 2x14 shelf $6 3" $38 3x14 shelf $7 4" $39 4x14 shelf $9 Weight 16 lbs. Padded insert $19 |
2" deep $38 2x16 shelf $6 3" $39 3x16 shelf $8 4" $40 4x16 shelf $9 Weight 17 lbs. Padded panel $10 |
 12" wide x 16 tall |
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| 18" For drilling for as many as 17, add $8.00 |
2" deep $33 2x8 shelf $5 3" $34 3x8 shelf $5 4" $35 4x8 shelf $6 Weight = 14 lbs. Padded panel -$8.00 |
2" deep $34 2x10 shelf $5 3" $35 3x10 shelf $6 4" $36 4x10 shelf $7 Weight = 15 lbs. Padded panel -$9 |
2" deep $35 2x12 shelf $5 3" $36 3x12 shelf $7 4" $37 4x12 shelf $8 Weight 16 lbs. Padded back $9 |
2" deep $37 2x14 shelf $6 3" $38 3x14 shelf $7 4" $39 4x14 shelf $9 Weight 17 lbs. Padded panel -$10 |
2" deep $37 2x16 shelf $6 3" $38 3x16 shelf $8 4" $39 4x16 shelf $9 Weight 19 lbs. Padded panel -$11 |
2" deep $39 2x18 shelf $7 3" $40 3x18 shelf $8 4" $41 4x18 shelf $10 Weight = 20 lbs Padded panel $11 |
 12" wide x 18 tall. |
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Width: |
8" | 10" | 12" | 14" | 16" | 18" | 20" | 22" | 24" |
| 20" For drilling for as many as 19 shelves, add $9.00 |
 2" deep $35 2x8 shelf $5 3" $36 3x8 shelf $5 4" $37 4x8 shelf $6 Weight = 14 lbs. Padded panel -$8 |
2" deep $36 2x10 shelf $5 3" $37 3x10 shelf $6 4" $38 4x10 shelf $7 Weight 15 lbs. Padded panel -$9 |
2" deep $37 2x12 shelf $5 3" $38 3x12 shelf $7 4" $39 4x12 shelf $8 Weight 16 lbs. Padded insert $10 |
2" deep $39 2x14 shelf $6 3" $41 3x14 shelf $7 4" $42 4x14 shelf $9 Weight 17 lbs. Padded back $11 |
2" deep $41 2x16 shelf $6 3" $42 3x16 shelf $8 4" $454 4x16 shelf $9 Weight 18 lbs. Padded panel -$11 |
3" deep $43 3x18 shelf $8 4" $45 4x18 shelf $10 5" $46 * 5x18 shelf $12 Weight 19 lbs. Padded panel -$12 |
3" deep $46 3x20 shelf $9 4" $47 4x20 shelf $11 5" $49 * 5x20 shelf $13 Weight = 20 lbs. Padded panel $13 |
 18" x 20 shadow box -sideways |
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| 22" For drilling for as many as 21 shelves, add $10.00 |
2" deep $37 2x8 shelf $5 3" $38 3x8 shelf $5 4" $40 4x8 shelf $6 Weight 16 lbs. Padded panel -$9 |
2" deep $40 2x10 shelf $5 3" $41 3x10 shelf $6 4" $42 4x10 shelf $7 Wright 17 lbs. Padded insert $9 |
2" deep $42 2x12 shelf $5 3" $43 3x12 shelf $7 4" $44 4x12 shelf $8 Weight 18 lbs. Padded back $10 |
2" deep $43 2x14 shelf $6 3" $44 3x14 shelf $7 4" $45 4x14 shelf $9 Weight 19 lbs. Padded panel $11 |
3" deep $45 3x16 shelf $8 4" $47 4x16 shelf $9 5" $49 * 5x16 shelf $11 Weight 20 lbs. Padded panel $12 |
 3" deep $48 3x18 shelf $8 4" $50 4x18 shelf $10 5" $52 * 5x18 shelf $12 Weight lbs. 22 Padded insert $13 |
3" deep $51 3x20 shelf $9 *** 4" $53 Dim weight = 30 lbs. 4x20 shelf $11 5" $55 Dim weight = 31 lbs. 5x20 shelf $13 Dim weight = 29 lbs. Padded back $14 |
3" deep $53 3x22 shelf $10 *** 4" $55 dim weight = 29 lbs. 4x22 shelf $13 5" $57 dim weight = 32 lbs. 5x22 shelf $14 Padded panel $15 |
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| 24" For drilling for as many as 23 shelves, please add $11.00 |
 2" deep $42 2x8 shelf $5 3" $44 3x8 shelf $5 4" $45 4x8 shelf $6 Weight 18 lbs. Upholstered panel $9 |
2" deep $44 2x10 shelf $5 3" $45 3x10 shelf $6 4" $47 4x10 shelf $7 Weight 20 lbs. Upholstered panel $10 |
2" deep $46 2x12 shelf $5 3" $48 3x12 shelf $7 4" $49 4x12 shelf $8 Weight 21 lbs. Upholstered panel -$11.00 |
 3" deep $483x14 shelf $7 4" $49 4x14 shelf $9 5" $51 * 5x14 shelf $10 Weight 23 lbs. Upholstered panel -$12.00 |
3" deep $51 3x16 shelf $8 4" $53 4x16 shelf $9 5" $55 * 5x16 shelf $11 Weight 24 lbs. Upholstered panel -$13.00 |
 3" deep $53 3x18 shelf $8 *** 4" $55 4x18 shelf $10 5" $57* 5x18 shelf $12 Weight 25 lbs. Upholstered panel -$14.00 |
3" deep $55 3x20 shelf $9*** 4" $57 4x20 shelf $11 5" $59* 5x20 shelf $13 Weight lbs. Upholstered panel -$15.00 |
3" deep $57 3x22 shelf $10*** 4" $59 4x22 shelf $13*** 5" $61 * 5x22 shelf $14 Dim-weight 36 lbs. Upholstered panel $16 |
 3" deep $61 Dim-weight 28 lbs. 3x24 shelf $10*** 4" $63 Dim-weight 32 lbs. 4x24 shelf $13 *** 6" $65 ** Dim-weight 40 lbs. 6x24 shelf $17 Upholstered panel $17 |
Width: |
8" | 10" | 12" | 14" | 16" | 18" | 20" | 22" | 24" |
This is the 10" high by 8" inches wide case to the left. Just turned on its side to be 8 high & 10 wide.* Please notice that these cases are an inch thicker then the previous.
** These cases are thicker still
*** Long narrow shelves are best in OAK, not acrylic, which tends to sag. If you can reinforce the shelves through the back, this may not be a problem.
Notice also the insert -you may select the appropriate upholstered panel for your case, -colors below.
Step 2 -Pick the case color and type of wood & finish.
I offer three different colors for the case. They are Black, Neutral gray, & Warm off-white. If you are not sure, may I suggest the black case with a maple frame? Elegant yet understated. If you are putting the case on the wall in your home -one of the most elegant approaches is to paint it to match your walls. In this way, the case "disappears" and your item is more vividly showcased. If you are going this route, you might consider the gray -which is actually a high quality primer.
A few words about the wood I use.
The oak and maple I use are grown and harvested in America or Canada. Key word here is harvested -from managed forests where trees are growing faster then they are being cut down. (Did’ja know that farms have become so efficient in America that what was farmland 50 years ago is now growing back into forests?)
Mahogany on the other hand –is a tropical wood and North America is poorly equipped with tropical forests. Most of them are in parts of the world where people are poor and feeding the kids is more important then protecting the environment. Yet they do need –and perhaps deserve- to sell their wood. And I like mahogany. So I face something of a dilemma. I resolve it by using what is essentially re-cycled mahogany. I use wood that has been used as pallets to ship other wood and products to America. While this wood is cheaper –please understand that by the time I fuss it up to make my products, I am NOT saving any money by using recycled wood. But it pleases me to do my bit for both the environment and the foresters in the tropics.
This wood is more varied in color and the grain often more vivid. Personally I like it this way. Occasionally, I even let a nail hole go by if I find the piece is particularly pretty otherwise. But if you want evenly matched frames etc. you might want to consider oak, and perhaps a custom piece from either select mahogany or oak stained to match the deep red of mahogany.
Step 3 -Decide about the case-back and shelves:
You may select a solid case back -clean & simple. Or you may pick a pegboard back which makes it easy to install your items. You simply pass a short length of wire through one hole, wrap it around the object, and pass it out through the back. Twist the ends together, and you are done. You can also pass the wire through your own selection of fabric or paper background.
If, on the other hand, your collection wants to go on shelves, you will want to order the case drilled for the little pegs that hold these shelves.
The picture shows a black case -2 inches deep with a peg-board back, and a gray case with solid back and drilled for shelves. A single oak shelf is installed.
Shelves come in either acrylic, (with a frosted front edge), or solid oak- 1/4 inch thick. Each shelf includes 4 brass pegs to hold the shelf.
Step 4 -select an upholstered back, (optional).
Some collectables and heirlooms deserve to be showcased against a soft fabric pad. These liners are sized to fit easily onto the cases. You can also pierce the backing with wire to mount your item so it 'floats' on it's own little cushion.
This allows you to permanently attach the case to the wall, and still remove your collectable if the need arises. You can see a little ribbon tab-handle at the bottom of the purple back.
Step 5 -select a slanted base for table-top and coffee tables etc. -optional.
I first made these for a high-tech company that made teeny-tiny little mechanisms and needed to show them off at trade shows. What you see are regular shadow boxes with a 15 degree wedge underneath. The wedge is painted to match the box and is just a little smaller then the box -in this way it creates a floating effect. The shadow box fits elegantly over the slant and your items are put on display perfectly on a flat surface.
Some Examples of Shadow Boxes:
Natural Oak w/ white box -solid back
-4" deep x 8" wide x 14" high
12 x 12 x 2" deep -black with peg-board back and mahogany frame
My biggest shadow box -24 x 4 -this one is black with a natural oak frame and red upholstered insert.
Like the above, but 3" deep.
A collection of pretty little Indian baskets, (hand-made and old!)- in a 14 x 20 x 4" shadow box. Black case, solid back and maple frame
4 x 14 x 20 with a sliding acrylic cover -maple frame & black box.
5 x 18 x 24 in mahogany, grey box, and pegboard back
Can't find the perfect display case for your stuff? Check out....
Shadow Boxes:
Variously sized shadow boxes that let you do it your way.
Riker / Museum Cases:
Part of a complete system to both store & display small collectables.
Doll Displays:
Simply the best way to both display and protect Barbie-sized dolls.
Jersey Cases:
Big flat shadow boxes to protect & display even the biggest athletic jerseys.
Document Mounts:
Got stuff you need other people to read? Use these small cases to get it out there, and protect it too.
...and don't miss these miscellaneous items for the collector:
Jewelry inserts:
They fit perfectly into my jewelry boxes and help you organize your jewelry.
Pen Inserts:
Sized like the jewelry inserts, but for pen & pencil collections:
Specimen Boxes:
A little like Riker-Mounts, but bigger and stouter. They display and protect larger items.
Finally, for the very best of your collection, consider...
Coffee or Sofa Display Tables.