Handling antiques, especially large and delicate ones, requires precision, care, and expertise. Our recent project with Bird Studio is a testament to our dedication to providing top-notch packaging services for valuable and sensitive items.

The Challenge

Bird Studio’s client purchased a 12-foot-long, 400-pound model ship, Sovereign of the Seas, from a Hudson Valley antique shop. Originally built in 1930, the ship needed careful handling due to its fragility and historical value. Bird Studio undertook a complete restoration of the ship, reviving its intricate details and historical essence. This added an extra layer of responsibility to ensure the restored elements remained intact.

Custom Packaging Solutions

After surveying and measuring the ship, our team designed a skid with form-fit support cradles and custom strapping points to secure it during transport. To ensure a perfect fit, our experienced craftsmen used an industrial pin router to fabricate the heavy-duty cradles exactly to specification. Moving the model ship from the second-floor workshop posed significant logistical challenges. There was no elevator access, so the ship had to be moved through a neighboring studio and out of an access door. We partnered with Steedle Moving and Storage, who provided a 3-stage forklift with extensions to safely lower the skidded ship from the second floor.

Ensuring Safe Transport

Once securely packaged and out of the studio, the ship was loaded onto Steedle’s air-ride truck, designed to minimize vibrations and shocks during transport. Thanks to Steedle Moving and Storage’s expertise and air-ride equipment, the transportation process was smooth. Upon arrival, the model ship was carefully unloaded, removed from the skid, and set in place at the buyer’s Hamptons residence.