Important Considerations When Packing and Shipping Figurines

Figures are one of the oldest forms of artistic representation. Carved from mammoth ivory, horn, stone and rarely clay, figurines usually depict women and often are interpreted as goddesses. Their accentuated sexual features imply fertility and beauty. They have also been interpreted as symbols of survival and as icons to aid in securing food. Increasing nutritional stress during the Upper Paleolithic coincided with the appearance of fatter figurines, suggesting that hunter-gatherers were aware of the relationship between diet and body weight. During periods of drought and scarcity, female figurines may have been used to encourage fat accumulation in the hopes of increasing fertility.

In some cases, figurines depicting pregnant women were intended to convey a spiritual or magical message – the image had power to bring about reproductive success, spanning conception through a precarious pregnancy, childbirth and nursing. Alternatively, fat accumulation may have been viewed as a sign of health and good fortune, as shown by the LesPugue Venus with rolls of fat in her buttocks and thighs (Figure 4A), which is dated to approximately 25k BP.

Whether used as an adornment, to sooth an aching belly or to aid in achieving fertility, figurines were important for the early human species and remain so today. Despite the enduring popularity of these figurines, there are some important considerations to keep in mind when packing and shipping them.

For the best results, wrap the figurines in several layers of protective material. It is recommended that you use a soft flexible material such as bubble wrap, cotton batting or thick layers of tissue paper. Bubble wrap is my preference; the flexible material allows for a snug fit while remaining soft enough to cushion and protect the figure. Avoid using clear packaging tape, as it is hard to read and a royal pain in the derriere to remove.

The figure should be placed in the center of the wrapping with at least 3 inches (7.5-10 cm for my metric readers) of space around it. This allows for easy removal of the figure when it is needed and prevents the figure from getting squished or damaged.

Ensure that the figure is protected from damage during transportation by placing it inside of a cardboard box or other container. It is recommended that you use foam blocks or other padding in between the layers of protection. If you do not have any of these items available, newspaper or magazine pages make a good alternative.

If you are shipping the figure to a remote destination, make sure that the box is large enough for the figurine. It should also have sufficient padding to prevent the figure from shifting or falling during transport. It is not recommended that you place the figure in a plastic bag, as this can lead to corrosion and other issues. The box should also be well marked to indicate that the contents are fragile and should be handled with care. Finally, the box should be secured with masking tape to prevent it from being opened.