Resources the Ancients Used to Transport Art

The idea of art dated back in time and was present in the preliterate communities of early man. Before the written word, the first human tribes expressed their cultures via art. Ancient peoples lived nomadic lifestyles and traded and transported artistic items around other mobile societies; this is perhaps the oldest known instance of art transportation.

The 11.1-centimeter-tall limestone sculpture, “The Venus of Willendorf,” painted red ochre, is a stunning and recognizable example of ancient portable art. This mother goddess or Venus figure is said to have been carried by its owner as an amulet for fertility or luck. Its estimated date of creation is 30,000 BCE in Paleolithic Europe.

Benin Plaques from the 16th century are now housed at London’s British Museum.
Benin Plaques from the 16th century are presently housed at the British Museum in London.

The Benin statues, which are presently kept in the British Museum after being taken from their original locations in west Africa by the British Empire as part of a raid in 1897, serve as an illustration of this. The theft and subsequent transit of the ancient sculptures from Benin were what suddenly made African art, which had hitherto been hidden from European audiences, visible.

moving military aircraft
20th-century military aircraft transport

Moving on, we reach World War II. According to Wikipedia, “up to the 20th century, all art had to be carried by sea. They were therefore exposed to changes in temperature and humidity as well as potential water damage. With the advent of “international air transport” during World War II, everything in the field of exporting fine art altered. “Ex-military pilots who were jobless founded freight airlines that could travel on intercontinental and transcontinental routes… Suddenly, a speedier and safer method of transporting priceless works of art and antiques became available.

The famous Tutankhamun burial mask, one of the most well-liked exhibit items from 1972 to 1981, was shown.
The famous Tutankhamun burial mask was one of the most popular display items in the “Treasures of Tutankhamun” exhibition, which ran from 1972 to 1981.

Let’s fast-forward to the 1970s and 1980s when interest in art skyrockets. The well-known Tutankhamun Treasures exhibition from 1972 debuted at the British Museum. The show is a “diplomatic and aesthetic triumph. It also used art as a diplomatic instrument. As a result, art became entertainment, and the blockbuster exhibition period was born.

Large-scale art shows are now accessible to all demographics, mainstream, and popular (as opposed to reserved for the wealthy or educated). “Art fairs have become worldwide entertainment and the place to see and be seen” since the 1980s, which led to the emergence of specialized transportation firms for fine art.

The 1991 publication “Art in Transit: Handbook for Packing and Transporting Paintings.”
1991-the 1990s “Art in Transit: Handbook for Packing and Transporting Paintings.”

O, K art shipping and transportation have become a recognized sector in recent years. On the topic, knowledge and instructional resources were created. A theoretical and educational manual for art handlers, Art in Transit: Handbook for Packing and Transporting Paintings, was released in 1991 by The National Gallery of Art, London.

On top of that, Art experts emphasize that “conservators are increasingly conscious of how artwork is harmed in transit as we go toward the present day. More advanced standards of handling fine art have become the norm, and new and better packaging materials have also been created.

The screenshot was taken on September 20 at 17:25.27
The screenshot was born on September 20 at 17:25.27
Internet-based era

Since the World Wide Web was created in 1990 and Google was established in 1998, experts in the fine art shipping field have learned more about the market and have shared their insider knowledge online. Because of this, customers now have access to a broader range of service options and a better service offering.

With the growth of the internet and instant communication, there is a greater demand for shipping companies to respond immediately and to be accountable; additionally, this online presence has increased the global reach and accessibility of fine art shipping companies, as well as increased competition.