Irreplaceable things deserve extra care
The grandfather clock. The oil painting that hung over the fireplace for decades. The china that came over with great-grandma. These aren't just objects; they carry a family's history. When they need to travel from a parent's Florida home to a child's home in another state, families want to know they're in careful hands.
We specialize in antiques, furniture, artwork, and much more. Each item is evaluated individually, and its packing is chosen for what it is and how far it's going.
Custom wooden crating: crate and ship in one service
Some pieces need more than padding and a box. For fragile or high-value items, we build custom wooden crates sized to the piece, then ship the crated item to its destination. Crating is often a good fit for:
- Framed paintings and works on paper behind glass
- Large mirrors and glass-front cabinets
- Sculpture and decorative objects with delicate parts
- Furniture with marble or stone tops
- Antique clocks, chandeliers, and lamps
- Heirlooms that simply can't be replaced
Not everything needs a crate. Many pieces travel well with careful wrapping and padding. Ask us about your specific item, and we'll recommend the right packing for it, crate or not.
Packing and shipping artwork
Art shipping starts with the details: the size, the frame, whether there's glass or acrylic, and the medium. Tell us what you have, ideally with photos and approximate measurements, and we'll plan how to pack and ship each piece. A framed print and a large original oil painting need very different packing, and we'll talk it through with you. If a piece may be valuable, consider an appraisal before it ships.
Shipping antiques
Antique furniture, clocks, silver, porcelain, and collectibles each have their own weak points: veneers and finishes, loose joints, moving parts, thin glass, fragile handles. We look at each piece before packing it, and we'll ask about any existing repairs or concerns. For antique furniture, see also furniture shipping, and for pieces leaving Florida, shipping furniture to another state.
Items we're often asked to pack and ship
- Paintings, framed art, prints, and mirrors
- Sculptures and decorative pieces
- Antique furniture and clocks
- China, porcelain, crystal, and glassware
- Silver and collectibles
- Lamps, chandeliers, and décor
A Palm Beach County perspective
Many Palm Beach County homes, from Palm Beach and Jupiter to Wellington, Delray Beach, and Boca Raton, hold art and antiques gathered over a lifetime. When a parent downsizes or an estate is settled, those pieces are often headed to children and grandchildren who live in other states. Condo buildings and gated communities may have rules for large pickups, so tell us about the building when you call and we'll plan around it. Whether it's one painting or a whole collection, we pick up locally and ship nationwide and worldwide.
Before you ship: helpful steps
- Photograph everything before pickup, front and back, including any existing chips, cracks, or repairs.
- Know what you have. If you believe an item may be valuable, consider having it appraised before it ships. An appraiser or auction house can also advise whether to keep, sell, or donate.
- Tell us about high-value pieces. Mention them when you request your quote so we can discuss how to handle them, and check whether the estate's or your own insurance covers items in transit.
- Don't pre-wrap fragile items yourself unless we've asked you to. Improper wrapping can trap moisture or scratch surfaces.
- Share the details: dimensions, approximate weight, and anything unusual like glass fronts, marble tops, or loose parts.
What's included
- A no-cost meeting to look at the items and talk about your goals
- A personalized quote for packing, crating where needed, and shipping
- Pickup, sorting, and careful packing, with custom wooden crating for fragile or high-value pieces
- Shipping and delivery arrangements. We specialize in white glove service.
Shipping heirlooms to several relatives
Often the china goes to one daughter, the painting to a son, and the clock to a grandson. We can sort and ship each item to the right person. See shipping to multiple heirs.
When an estate includes an art or antique collection
If a parent collected seriously, the estate may include pieces that need appraisal, insurance review, or decisions about selling versus keeping. Many families talk first with the estate attorney and an appraiser, then decide which pieces go to which relatives. Once those decisions are made, we can pack and ship the pieces going to family. If items are headed to an auction house or buyer instead, tell us that too. Attorneys and personal representatives can learn more on our page for professionals.