Christmas lights may not create the controlled lighting effects you may
want (highlight object, avoid glare of lights) and may damage your
objects because of the heat created inside the exhibit case.

I attended a lighting workshop sponsored by the American Institute for
Conservation and one of the sessions demonstrated a simple method of
lighting the interior of an exhibit case using one light and several
mirrors.  The top of the case is fitted with a 4-5" high box.  Inside
the box is a light (usually incandescent to avoid UV radiation) with
holes cut in the bottom of the box above the objects to be lighted.
Mirrors are placed at the holes to reflect the light down onto the
object, as desired, like a spot light.  This method reduces energy
costs, avoids the heat build-up typically created by placing the lights
inside the case, and is less expensive than track lighting.  It's not
perfect but it may be the solution you're looking for.

Hope this helps!

Kiersten wrote:

> Does anyone have any comments about using strings of christmas lights
> to aid
> in lighting old museum cabinets? We have a low budget and need to be
> creative. Just wondering.



--
M. A. van Balgooy
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