Ceramics and glass, in general, should be stored and displayed on sturdy, level surfaces that are secure from bumps and jarring. Objects should be covered or enclosed to protect them from dirt and dust. If this is not possible for storage, pieces can be wrapped in acid-free, lignin-free tissue and stored in acid-free cardboard boxes. Newspaper and acidic newsprint paper can cause discoloration and stains and should not be used for wrapping or long term storage of ceramics and glass. Any box used for storage should be strong enough to support the weight of the objects inside and should have a secure bottom. The container should also be large enough to enclose the entire object. Objects should not be allowed to bump or fall against each other.
Ceramics are often displayed vertically on walls with spring- loaded mounting brackets. These brackets may exert too much pressure on ceramic plates and often cause cracks and damage. Other vertical plate racks are made that do not exert undue pressure and are much safer for your prized objects. Separate prongs can also be used in place of either type of mounting device. It helps to pad the part of the mount with a synthetic felt to prevent any scratching onto the surface of the object.
Another common problem in the display of ceramic and glass pieces involves the gradual, incremental movement of objects on surfaces due to underground vibrations. The movement can be caused by any constant, transmitted vibration source like subways, trains, underground equipment, and normal building vibration. Objects in museums are often carefully secured to their display surfaces with very small dots of soft wax to prevent them from “walking” off their display vitrines. Caution should be used, however, when using wax. One must take into consideration whether the wax may be safely removed from the object. There are expert conservators who have researched and studied ways to reduce earthquake-related damages to displayed objects. If you live in earthquake area and display important objects, you can get information about these experts and their methods by contacting a local objects conservator.