Museum of London

Museum of London throws down the gauntlet
 

The Museum of London literally threw down the gauntlet when they asked System Store Solutions to design a storage system for their metal collection.

For among the collection was a complete suit of armour worn by the King’s Champion in 1685. The duty of the Champion was to proclaim the new King’s right to the throne and challenge anyone to deny it, hence the phrase ‘to throw down the gauntlet’.

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The challenge was to come up with a system to both display and protect the armour but also to provide a storage solution for the Museum’s pewter and medieval metal toy collection – the largest of its kind in the world.

System Store Solutions had previously provided dust-sealed units at one of the museum’s off-site stores and these had proved satisfactory in terms of performance and value for money. The company was, therefore, approached to develop the new storage systems required for the refurbishment of the Metal and General stores.

The nature of the artefacts meant that the storage solution had to be strong enough to carry very heavy weights, and that it had to incorporate a wide variety of drawers. In addition, the stored artefacts had to be readily visible, and doors were needed to prevent the ingress of dust. Aisle space was, however, at a premium.

Presented with these requirements, System Store Solutions developed a storage installation based on its FSR shelving with drawer systems, all enclosed by sliding Clearview transparent doors.

The first phase of the project has been completed. According to archaeological conservator, Jill Barnard, the flexibility of the system allows the introduction of new improved storage to be added in stages, thus fitting with the budgetary constraints of the Museum. Work on the remaining phases will start shortly.