We've hung them flat against the back of a case and run monofilament
(fishing line) through the horizontal rows of pipe and fastened each end to
the case backing.  This relieves a fair amount of stress on the rawhide and
distribute the weight.   We also insert l-hooks into the case backing along
the bottom edge of the breastplate as a support.

I'm not sure if this visualizes well, so let me know if you need a diagram!

janice

Janice Klein
Director, Mitchell Museum of the American Indian
[log in to unmask]
www.mitchellmuseum.org


-----Original Message-----
From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On
Behalf Of Mandy Langfald
Sent: Tuesday, September 21, 2004 3:39 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Exhibiting Breastplates


We will be changing out a few of our Native American case in the near
future and I would like to put a man's bone hair pipe breastplate and a
woman's bone hair pipe necklace/breastplate on display. I would really
like to hang these items in some way, I don't have room in the case to
lay them flat, but I have no idea how or if this is really even
possible. Every thing I think of seems like it will result in a lot of
stress on the neck of the pieces. The hair pipe is not plastic so as you
can imagine both pieces are fairly heavy, especially the woman's. Has
anyone out there had any success in this area? All suggestions welcome.

Thanks,

Mandy Langfald
Curator of Collection
Wyoming State Museum
307-777-7033
[log in to unmask]

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